2001 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 324 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 70.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.3% in the 120-150k group versus 25.0% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.8% | 48 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.5% | 47 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 40 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.1% | 23 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 22 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.0% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 18 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 17 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 16 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 15 |
| 6 | Anti-lock braking system | 15 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 49.1% | 159 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.1% | 117 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 21.0% | 68 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.5% | 60 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.1% | 52 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.7% | 51 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 76 | 25.0% |
| 60-90k | 118 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 73 | 38.4% |
| 120-150k | 31 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 112 | 33.9% |
| 2022 | 83 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 56 | 26.8% |
| 2024 | 45 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Pt Cruiser
Before buying a 2001 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 14.8% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (14.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (14.5% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruisers pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 324 2001 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Chrysler-Jeep Pt Cruiser?
Suspension, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by brakes (14.5%).
Does the 2001 Pt Cruiser get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 30-60k band to 32.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 324 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.