Used car guide

2009 Dodge Avenger diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Dodge Avenger first registered in 2009 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 106 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 106 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

106MOTs of 2009 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
58%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%)
6,800typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Dodge Avenger diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Dodge Avenger diesel than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Engine oil leaks3.4× usual
    Dodge Avenger
    30.2% All 2009 cars
    8.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 2009 Dodge Avenger diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Dodge Avenger diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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
    40% 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
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% 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
    26% 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
    8% 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 2009 Dodge Avenger diesel

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

  1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2009 Dodge Avenger diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. 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
2008382Suspension 54%
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 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score