2009 Dodge Caliber diesel: common problems and MOT failures

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

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

• Shock absorbers4.6× usual
  Dodge Caliber

  32.2% All 2009 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2% of all 2009 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.

• Sub-frame3.5× usual
  Dodge Caliber

  19.1% All 2009 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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 joints2.4× usual
  Dodge Caliber

  24.1% All 2009 cars

  10.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.1%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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 joint2.8× usual
  Dodge Caliber

  17.1% All 2009 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 11.6%, against 3.4% of all 2009 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.

Common 2009 Dodge Caliber diesel MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  72% 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
  48% 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
  46% 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
  42% 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
  24% 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
  12% 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 2009 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 shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2009 Dodge Caliber diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2009 Dodge Caliber diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2009 Dodge Caliber diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?