Used car guide

2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Chrysler PT Cruisers, from 155 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 155 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

155MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
4,200typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Chrysler PT Cruisers than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
    Chrysler PT Cruiser
    21.9% All 2003 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 1.8% of all 2003 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.

By area

The share of 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    63% 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
    39% 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
    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.

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    14% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007375Suspension 57%
2006338Suspension 61%
2005263Suspension 63%
2004159Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Chrysler PT Cruisers registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score