Italy's quirkiest city car, now a forgotten gem
A rebadged Lancia Ypsilon sold in the UK from 2011-2015 as a quirky alternative to mainstream city cars like the Fiat 500 and Vauxhall Corsa. Buyers were typically those seeking Italian styling and character without the Fiat badge, though very few were sold in the UK. Chrysler withdrew from the British market entirely in 2015, making the Ypsilon a rare and obscure used buy.
We track 5 known issues across the Chrysler Ypsilon range, with 3 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Chrysler Ypsilon? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Y1 (2011–2015) — Petrol options included the 0.9 TwinAir, 1.2 8V, with 1.3 Multijet on the diesel side. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Steering roughness and binding (£400–£800 to address).
The Ypsilon 1.2 petrol develops excessive roughness in steering operation at a rate 50 times higher than the fleet average, typically appearing between 40,000-80,000 miles. This manifests as stiff or notchy steering feel, particularly when parking or manoeuvring at low speeds. The issue appears to be related to steering rack internal wear or contamination, and the failure rate is worsening according to MOT trend data.
Progressive steering roughness makes parking and low-speed manoeuvring increasingly difficult and tiring. In severe cases, the steering can bind completely, creating a safety hazard. Early intervention with power steering fluid changes may slow progression, but rack replacement is typically required once roughness is established.
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.
Suspension components on the Ypsilon 1.2 petrol suffer from premature corrosion at 40 times the fleet average, with failures occurring even on very low mileage examples. This suggests inadequate corrosion protection on critical suspension mounting points and components. The trend is worsening, indicating this is a significant long-term durability issue that affects structural safety if left unchecked.
Structural corrosion of suspension components can lead to sudden failure, creating an immediate safety hazard. Corroded mounting points may allow components to detach while driving, resulting in loss of vehicle control. Early detection allows for protective treatment, but severely corroded components require replacement for safety.
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.
Coil springs on the Chrysler Ypsilon fail at 13 times the fleet average rate, with failures occurring across all mileage bands including very low mileage examples. This indicates a fundamental quality or design issue with the spring metallurgy or manufacturing process. The trend is worsening, and failures affect both the 0.9 TwinAir and 1.2 petrol variants, suggesting a common supplier or specification problem.
A broken coil spring immediately compromises vehicle handling and can damage the tyre by allowing excessive movement. Sharp spring fragments can puncture the tyre. The vehicle should not be driven with a broken spring as it affects braking stability and cornering safety. Spring replacement requires both sides to maintain balance.
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 shock absorber mounting bushes on the Chrysler Ypsilon fail at exceptionally high rates across all mileage ranges, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 85 times the national fleet average. The rubber bushes deteriorate prematurely, causing knocking noises over bumps and affecting ride quality. This appears to be a design or material quality issue specific to this model, as the failure rate is consistent across different engine variants and occurs even on very low mileage examples.
Failed shock absorber bushes cause progressive deterioration in ride quality and handling precision. The car will feel less stable over bumps and may develop a knocking noise that worsens over time. While not immediately dangerous, worn bushes can accelerate tyre wear and put additional stress on other suspension components.
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 exhaust system on Ypsilon petrol models fails at 15 times the fleet average rate, with problems occurring even on very low mileage cars. This indicates poor quality exhaust components or inadequate corrosion protection. The trend is worsening, suggesting this is an ongoing durability issue affecting both TwinAir and 1.2 petrol variants across all mileage ranges.
Exhaust leaks reduce engine efficiency and can allow dangerous fumes to enter the passenger compartment. A complete exhaust failure will make the car excessively noisy and may result in an MOT failure. While not immediately dangerous, exhaust problems should be repaired promptly for safety and legal compliance.
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.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Chrysler Ypsilon common problems page.
Based on 27k real DVSA MOT tests, the Chrysler Ypsilon fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is abs fault at 85x the fleet average, followed by steering rack wear (51x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Chrysler Ypsilon MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 9k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Chrysler Ypsilon service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Chrysler Ypsilon is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. The 2013-2014 models are the pick, as early production niggles had been ironed out by then while parts supply was still relatively fresh. The TwinAir engine option is the most characterful but the 1.2 is more honest on fuel economy.
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 Ypsilon, 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 Ypsilon issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.