Used car guide

2006 Dodge Caliber diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the diesel Dodge Caliber first registered in 2006 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 166 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 166 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

166MOTs of 2006 diesel cars, done in 2023–2025
52%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)
6,200typical miles a year
4.4×the usual rate for sub-frame

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Dodge Caliber diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Dodge Caliber diesel than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Sub-frame4.4× usual
    Dodge Caliber
    22.9% All 2006 cars
    5.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
    Dodge Caliber
    26.5% All 2006 cars
    10.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 2.4% of all 2006 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 2006 Dodge Caliber diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Dodge Caliber diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    70% 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.

  • Tyres
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% 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
    31% 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.

  • Steering
    19% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% 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 2006 Dodge Caliber 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 sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 4.4× as often on the 2006 Dodge Caliber diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2006 Dodge Caliber diesel as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Dodge Caliber?

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 Caliber compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009373Suspension 67%
2008936Suspension 66%
2007788Suspension 61%

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 Caliber cars first registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score