What goes wrong, what it costs, and what to check before you buy a used Chrysler Voyager.
The Chrysler Voyager occupies a niche position on the UK market.
We track 5 known issues across the Chrysler Voyager 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 Voyager? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
GS (1997–2009) — Petrol options included the 2.4L Petrol, with 2.5L Diesel, 2.8L Diesel 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 Subframe mounting point structural corrosion (£800–£2,000 to address).
The load-bearing structure around subframe and suspension mounting points suffers from severe corrosion on Voyagers, particularly where road salt accumulates in box sections and around mounting brackets. MOT data shows this model fails at 21.4 times the fleet average for prescribed area structural defects. This is a safety-critical failure as mounting point collapse can result in loss of vehicle control. The problem affects all engine variants and worsens with age and mileage.
Structural failure around suspension mounting points can cause sudden loss of steering or suspension control. The vehicle becomes unsafe to drive. Repair requires professional assessment and may involve extensive welding or replacement of structural sections costing several thousand pounds.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Suspension pins, bushes, and joints wear excessively on Voyagers, with MOT data showing failure rates 754.5 times higher than the fleet average. The heavy weight of these MPVs combined with soft suspension bushes leads to accelerated wear of front and rear suspension components. Ball joints, anti-roll bar links, and control arm bushes are particularly affected. This wear pattern is consistent across all engine variants.
Worn suspension components affect vehicle handling, increase tyre wear, and will fail MOT. Multiple components often need replacement together, with total costs reaching £500-£1,200 for a comprehensive suspension overhaul.
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.
Body structure corrosion affects vehicle rigidity on Voyagers, with MOT failure rates 12.2 times higher than the fleet average. The problem typically manifests as rust in sills, door frames, tailgate areas, and structural box sections. Poor drainage design allows water accumulation in critical areas, accelerating corrosion. Models from 1997-2009 are all affected as they age beyond 15 years.
Structural corrosion reduces vehicle rigidity and compromises safety in a collision. Extensive corrosion will fail MOT and may make the vehicle uneconomical to repair. Professional welding and bodywork can cost £1,500-£4,000 depending on extent.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
Handbrake systems on Voyagers fail MOT efficiency tests at rates up to 11 times higher than the fleet average. The problem affects both drum brake rear axles and later disc brake setups. Cable stretch, rear brake shoe wear, and handbrake mechanism seizure are common causes. The 2.8L diesel variants show the highest failure rates, likely due to their heavier kerb weight placing additional demands on the parking brake system.
Inadequate parking brake efficiency will fail MOT and creates a safety risk on slopes. The vehicle may roll away when parked. Repair typically involves rear brake adjustment, cable replacement, or complete rear brake overhaul costing £200-£600.
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.
Shock absorbers fail at 10.3 times the fleet average rate on Voyagers, typically showing severe oil leakage or complete loss of damping function. The heavy weight and family-oriented use of these vehicles accelerates shock absorber wear. Failure is most common on the 2.8L and 2.5L diesel variants which have higher kerb weights. Front shocks typically fail first, followed by rear units.
Failed shock absorbers reduce ride comfort, increase stopping distances, and cause excessive tyre wear. The vehicle will fail MOT if leakage is severe. Replacement of all four shocks is typically recommended for consistent handling.
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 Voyager common problems page.
Based on 9k real DVSA MOT tests, the Chrysler Voyager fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is coil springs broken at 724x the fleet average, followed by abs fault (27x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Chrysler Voyager MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £60–£90 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt and tensioner (£400–£600).
See the full Chrysler Voyager service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Chrysler Voyager 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 Voyager, 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 Voyager issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.