2008 Dodge Caliber petrol: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Shock absorbers3.4× usual
  Dodge Caliber

  25.5% All 2008 cars

  7.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 2.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
  Dodge Caliber

  23.6% All 2008 cars

  10.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 2.3% of all 2008 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.

• Ball joint2.7× usual
  Dodge Caliber

  16.5% All 2008 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Sub-frame2.7× usual
  Dodge Caliber

  16.1% All 2008 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.4% of all 2008 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.

• Track rod ends2.9× usual
  Dodge Caliber

  14.4% All 2008 cars

  5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, 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 Caliber petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  67% 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
  37% 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
  34% 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.

• Tyres
  33% 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.

• Rust and bodywork
  20% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  14% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Dodge Caliber 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 shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2008 Dodge Caliber petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2008 Dodge Caliber petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2008 Dodge Caliber petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?