Used car guide

2008 Dodge Nitro: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Dodge Nitros, from 448 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 448 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

448MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,500typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Dodge Nitros than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Ball joint2.1× usual
    Dodge Nitro
    13.4% All 2008 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.9% here, against 12.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

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

  • Brakes
    45% 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
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    36% 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
    29% 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
    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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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.

Looking at a Dodge Nitro?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009334Brakes 46%
2007128Brakes 43%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Dodge Nitros registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score