Chrysler Grand Voyager MOT Failures
An analysis of 88,176 real DVSA MOT tests on the Chrysler Grand Voyager — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: GS (1996–2000), RT (2001–2007), RT-FL (2008–2016).
Where the Chrysler Grand Voyager fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Chrysler Grand Voyager is light unit fault — this model is 384 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 88,176 MOT tests, 4.59% of all Chrysler Grand Voyager tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include coil springs broken (275x the fleet average), parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (96x the fleet average), power steering fault (80x the fleet average), and anti-roll bar links worn (35x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Chrysler Grand Voyager's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 4 categories: Lights & Electrics, Suspension, Brakes, Steering. If you're inspecting a Chrysler Grand Voyager before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Chrysler Grand Voyager's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Chrysler Grand Voyager specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (384x the average) and coil springs broken (275x). parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (96x) and power steering fault (80x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Chrysler Grand Voyager specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (194x the average) and lens defective which has no effect on emitted l... (49x). light unit fault (42x) and anti-roll bar links worn (16x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Chrysler Grand Voyager specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (159x the average) and light unit fault (102x). electrical wiring fault (14x) and power steering fault (13x) also appear frequently.
The shift from light unit fault at lower mileages to coil springs broken at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Chrysler Grand Voyager specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe mounting point corrosion (all generations) Dangerous
The load-bearing structure around suspension component mounting points is prone to severe corrosion on Grand Voyagers, particularly where the rear subframe attaches to the monocoque shell. Affects GS, RT, RT-FL; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£3,000.
Front suspension bush and joint wear (all generations) Major
Grand Voyagers suffer from rapid deterioration of front suspension bushes and ball joints, with MOT data showing failures at 516.1x the fleet average. Affects GS, RT, RT-FL; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Rear coil spring failure (RT/RT-FL) Major
The 2.8L diesel variants suffer from rear coil spring fracture at 58.7x the fleet average, particularly on high-mileage examples. Affects RT, RT-FL; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
Parking brake cable and mechanism failure (all generations) Major
Grand Voyagers show multiple parking brake defects in MOT data - efficiency below minimum requirement (27.2x fleet average), complete inefficiency (26.9x), and single-side inoperative (15.1x). Affects GS, RT, RT-FL; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Chrysler Grand Voyager common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Chrysler Grand Voyager
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Chrysler Grand Voyager:
Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault, headlight fault. Suspension — check for coil springs broken, anti-roll bar links worn. Brakes — check for parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r..., parking brake inoperative on one side, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement. Steering — check for power steering fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe mounting point corrosion and front suspension bush and joint wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £1,500. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Chrysler Grand Voyager?
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Chrysler Grand Voyager MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Chrysler Grand Voyager?
Based on 88,176 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is light unit fault — at 384x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include coil springs broken and parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r....
Is the Chrysler Grand Voyager reliable based on MOT data?
The Chrysler Grand Voyager has 17 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe mounting point corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Chrysler Grand Voyager most commonly fails on coil springs broken and light unit fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are light unit fault and coil springs broken.
How do I check a Chrysler Grand Voyager's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.