2009 Chrysler Sebring — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,689 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Chrysler Sebring, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 75.0% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.3% in the 150k+ group versus 25.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 226 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 192 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.7% | 180 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.0% | 118 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.0% | 85 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 79 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 125 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 115 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 83 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 62 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 62 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 60 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 37.4% | 631 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.8% | 570 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.3% | 478 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.0% | 354 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 191 |
| 6 | Steering | 11.2% | 189 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 80 | 25.0% |
| 30-60k | 331 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 594 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 442 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 170 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 70 | 34.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 850 | 24.0% |
| Diesel | 839 | 26.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 513 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 420 | 24.3% |
| 2023 | 336 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 234 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 186 | 28.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Sebring
Before buying a 2009 Chrysler Sebring, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.4% 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.
- Suspension (10.7% 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.
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 2009 Chrysler Sebrings pass their MOT?
75.0% of the 1,689 2009 Chrysler Sebring MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Chrysler Sebring?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.4% of tests, followed by brakes (11.4%).
Does the 2009 Sebring get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 0-30k band to 34.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,689 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.