Used car guide

2012 Chrysler Ypsilon: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Chrysler Ypsilons, from 1,455 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,455MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
5,300typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Chrysler Ypsilons than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Shock absorbers2.8× usual
    Chrysler Ypsilon
    17.9% All 2012 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 1.7% of all 2012 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.

  • Exhaust system2.8× usual
    Chrysler Ypsilon
    15.3% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.5% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Coil springs1.7× usual
    Chrysler Ypsilon
    16.2% All 2012 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Engine oil leaks1.8× usual
    Chrysler Ypsilon
    13.5% All 2012 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Front struts4.6× usual
    Chrysler Ypsilon
    3.2% All 2012 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 2.5% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars. Sidelights: 1.8% here, against 5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Chrysler Ypsilon MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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
    37% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    21% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% 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.

  • 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.

Looking at a Chrysler Ypsilon?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20141,207Suspension 41%
20131,509Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Chrysler Ypsilons registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score