What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Chrysler 300.
The Chrysler 300 occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Chrysler 300 range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Chrysler 300? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
LX (2006–2015) — Engine options included the 3.0L V6 Diesel. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Front suspension ball joint wear (£200–£400 to address).
The front suspension ball joints show excessive wear at 7.9x the fleet average rate according to MOT data. These joints connect the steering knuckle to the control arms and their failure can cause sudden loss of steering control. The problem affects all mileage bands from 40,000 miles upward and appears to be getting worse over time, suggesting a design or material weakness.
A failed ball joint can separate completely, causing immediate loss of steering control and wheel collapse. This represents a serious safety risk. Even worn joints affect handling and cause rapid tyre wear.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
Wheel bearings fail at 7.9x the fleet average rate, particularly from 60,000 miles onwards. A failed wheel bearing can cause wheel wobble, steering pull, and in extreme cases, wheel detachment. The relatively heavy kerb weight of the 300 may accelerate bearing wear compared to lighter vehicles.
Complete bearing failure can cause wheel detachment and loss of vehicle control. Even partial failure causes dangerous handling characteristics, brake judder, and rapid tyre wear. This is a safety-critical component.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The handbrake system uses cables and adjusters that are prone to corrosion and seizure, particularly in UK conditions. MOT data shows this model fails handbrake efficiency tests at up to 17.7x the national fleet average, with the problem worsening over time. The cables can seize partially or completely, leading to uneven braking or total handbrake failure. This is a persistent design weakness affecting the entire model generation.
Failed MOT on brake efficiency test. A seized handbrake can cause brake drag, premature brake wear, and potential wheel bearing damage. In extreme cases, complete handbrake failure creates a safety risk on hills and during parking.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
MOT data shows brake binding at 5.0x fleet average and brake disc damage at 2.1x fleet average. The brake calipers are prone to seizure, causing constant brake pad contact with discs. This leads to overheating, warped or cracked discs, and premature brake component wear. The heavy weight of the 300 exacerbates brake system stress.
Binding brakes cause rapid pad and disc wear, reduced fuel economy, and potential brake fade from overheating. Severely warped discs can cause loss of braking effectiveness and dangerous handling characteristics.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Suspension joint dust covers deteriorate at 6.8x the fleet average rate, typically affecting cars from 60,000 miles. While not immediately dangerous, deteriorated dust covers allow water and dirt ingress into suspension joints, accelerating wear and leading to eventual joint failure.
Deteriorated dust covers lead to accelerated suspension joint wear as dirt and moisture contaminate the joint. While not immediately dangerous, this will eventually result in suspension joint failure requiring more expensive repairs.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Chrysler 300 common problems page.
Based on 3k real DVSA MOT tests, the Chrysler 300 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is parking brake inoperative on one side at 40x the fleet average, followed by parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (24x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Chrysler 300 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 15k miles) typically costs £120–£180 at an independent garage.
See the full Chrysler 300 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Chrysler 300 has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Chrysler 300, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Chrysler 300 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.