Used car guide

2008 Dodge Avenger petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Dodge Avenger first registered in 2008 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 214 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 214 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

214MOTs of 2008 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
56%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,600typical miles a year
4.7×the usual rate for flexible brake hoses

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Dodge Avenger petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Dodge Avenger petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Flexible brake hoses4.7× usual
    Dodge Avenger
    16.8% All 2008 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 0.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Track rod ends3.2× usual
    Dodge Avenger
    16.4% All 2008 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.3%, against 2.4% of all 2008 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.

Common 2008 Dodge Avenger petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Dodge Avenger petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    46% 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
    35% 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
    32% 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
    11% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    9% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Dodge Avenger petrol

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

  1. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the 2008 Dodge Avenger petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2008 Dodge Avenger petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Dodge Avenger?

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 Dodge Avenger compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009152Suspension 57%
2007–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Dodge Avenger cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score