What are the most common problems with a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol?

The biggest MOT weak spot is suspension arm bushes and joints: flagged on 24.6% of tests, 2.3× the rate for all 2005 cars, followed by braking performance (16.1%).

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol?

Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol as on other cars the same age.) Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol as on other cars the same age.) Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Chrysler PT Cruiser first registered in 2005 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 646 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

646MOTs of 2005 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025

54%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)

4,400typical miles a year

2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol than on all cars registered in 2005.

Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual

Chrysler PT Cruiser
24.6% All 2005 cars
10.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.4% of all 2005 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.
Braking performance2.2× usual

Chrysler PT Cruiser
16.1% All 2005 cars
7.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Anti-roll bar bushes and joints6× usual

Chrysler PT Cruiser
9% All 2005 cars
1.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.
Anti-roll bar link bushes4.8× usual

Chrysler PT Cruiser
8.2% All 2005 cars
1.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.
Track rod ends2.2× usual

Chrysler PT Cruiser
12.7% All 2005 cars
5.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.7% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 3.4% here, against 8% of all 2005 cars.

Common 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

55% 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.
Brakes

47% 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.
Lights and electrics

41% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

28% 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.
Oil and fluid leaks

24% 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.
Exhaust and emissions

16% 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 an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol

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

Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol as on other cars the same age.)
Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser petrol as on other cars the same age.)
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Chrysler 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 PT Cruiser compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2008	233	Suspension 52%
2007	1,383	Suspension 56%
2006	1,297	Suspension 57%
2004	671	Suspension 61%
2003	603	Suspension 64%
2002	374	Suspension 50%
2001	238	Suspension 49%
2000	104	Suspension 48%

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 PT Cruiser cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score