Used car guide

2001 Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser first registered in 2001: we looked at the 105 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 105 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

105MOTs of 2001 cars, done in 2023–2025
63%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 60%)
3,500typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.8× usual
    Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser
    28.6% All 2001 cars
    7.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 1.6% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2001 Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    30% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    18% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.8× as often on the 2001 Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007313Suspension 54%
2006256Suspension 57%
2005189Suspension 65%
2004158Suspension 56%
2003127Suspension 71%
2002114Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Chrysler-Jeep PT Cruiser cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score