What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Chrysler Delta.
The Chrysler Delta occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Chrysler Delta range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Chrysler Delta? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
844 (2011–2014) — Petrol options included the 1.4 MultiAir, with 1.6 MultiJet on the diesel side. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Coil spring fracture (£150–£250 to address).
MOT data shows this model fails spring inspections at 6.3 times the fleet average, with failures documented across both engines and all mileage bands from 40,000 miles upward. Spring fractures create immediate safety risk through loss of vehicle control and potential wheel detachment. The failure pattern suggests a design or material issue specific to this platform rather than normal wear.
A fractured spring can cause immediate loss of vehicle control, wheel alignment changes that damage tyres, and potential failure of other suspension components. Emergency replacement required if fracture is confirmed. Vehicle should not be driven with suspected spring failure.
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.
This model shows the highest MOT failure rate in the dataset at 8.1 times the fleet average for exhaust system defects, concentrated in the 40-100k mile range. The pattern affects both petrol and diesel variants and shows a worsening trend, suggesting premature corrosion of the exhaust system components rather than normal end-of-life wear.
Exhaust leaks can allow toxic fumes into the cabin, cause MOT failure, and lead to further system degradation. Loose sections present an immediate safety risk if they detach while driving. Repair complexity depends on which sections are affected.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
MOT failures for stub axle swivel pin wear occur at 7.4 times the fleet average, with the peak failure rate in the 60-80k mile band. This indicates premature wear of critical wheel bearing and hub components that affect vehicle safety and handling. The pattern suggests inadequate lubrication or design issues with the hub assembly.
Worn wheel bearings can cause wheel detachment in extreme cases, poor handling, accelerated tyre wear, and brake system problems. The defect requires prompt attention as it affects vehicle safety directly. Repair involves hub or bearing assembly replacement.
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.
MOT data shows suspension component corrosion failures at 4.9 times the fleet average, particularly affecting the diesel variant. The pattern suggests premature corrosion of steel suspension components, likely affecting control arms, subframe mounting points, or anti-roll bar components. This represents a structural safety concern requiring immediate attention.
Corroded suspension components can fail suddenly, causing loss of vehicle control and potential accidents. Structural suspension damage requires immediate repair and may affect other components. The extent of repair depends on which components are affected and the degree of corrosion.
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.
MOT failures for steering ball joint wear occur at 4.0 times the fleet average, with a worsening trend across multiple mileage bands. Ball joint wear affects steering precision and vehicle safety, with failures documented from 60k miles onwards on both engine variants. The pattern suggests premature wear of track rod ends or steering linkage components.
Worn steering ball joints can cause loss of steering control, particularly dangerous during emergency manoeuvres. Accelerated tyre wear and poor vehicle stability are early signs. Complete failure can result in loss of steering, making this a critical safety issue requiring immediate repair.
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.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Chrysler Delta common problems page.
Based on 4k real DVSA MOT tests, the Chrysler Delta fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is exhaust system damage at 8x the fleet average, followed by axle or kingpin wear (7x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Chrysler Delta MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Chrysler Delta service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Chrysler Delta has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue 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 Delta, 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 Delta issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.