Chrysler Jeep 300 MOT Failures
An analysis of 84,385 real DVSA MOT tests on the Chrysler Jeep 300 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: LX (2005–2010).
Where the Chrysler Jeep 300 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Chrysler Jeep 300 is parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... — this model is 82 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 84,385 MOT tests, 7.38% of all Chrysler Jeep 300 tests recorded this as a failure.
Brake failures on the MOT range from worn pads and discs (routine maintenance) to corroded brake lines and seized calipers (more serious). Check for any pulling under braking and listen for grinding.
Other notable weak points include headlight fault (23x the fleet average), track rod ends worn (30x the fleet average), suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (20x the fleet average), and abs fault (68x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Chrysler Jeep 300'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: Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Steering, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Chrysler Jeep 300 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 Jeep 300'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 Jeep 300 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (82x the average) and abs fault (68x). track rod ends worn (29x) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (20x) 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 Jeep 300 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (22x the average) and suspension joint dust cover missing or no longe... (18x). headlight fault (14x) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (11x) 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 Jeep 300 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (20x the average) and light unit fault (15x). parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (12x) and braking effort inadequate at any wheel (11x) also appear frequently.
The shift from parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... at lower mileages to anti-roll bar links worn 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 Jeep 300 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Steering ball joint wear (LX) Dangerous
The Chrysler 300 diesel variants show excessive wear in steering ball joints, failing MOT tests at 30 times the fleet average rate. Affects LX; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Wheel bearing wear (LX) Dangerous
The Chrysler 300 diesel variants show wheel bearing failure at 15.7 times the fleet average rate. Affects LX; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Parking brake efficiency failure (LX) Major
The Chrysler 300 diesel variants suffer from widespread parking brake system deterioration, with MOT data showing failure rates 35 times higher than the fleet average. Affects LX; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
Electronic stability control malfunction (LX) Major
The Chrysler 300 diesel variants experience Electronic Stability Control system malfunctions at The ESP system relies on multiple wheel speed sensors, steering angle sensors, and lateral acceleration sensors which are prone to failure. Affects LX; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Chrysler Jeep 300 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Chrysler Jeep 300
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Chrysler Jeep 300:
Brakes — check for parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r..., abs fault, braking effort inadequate at any wheel. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, light unit fault. Steering — check for track rod ends worn. Suspension — check for suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated, suspension pin, bush or joint worn.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about steering ball joint wear and wheel bearing wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. 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 Jeep 300?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Chrysler Jeep 300 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Chrysler Jeep 300?
Based on 84,385 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... — at 82x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include headlight fault and track rod ends worn.
Is the Chrysler Jeep 300 reliable based on MOT data?
The Chrysler Jeep 300 has 17 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag steering ball joint wear 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 Jeep 300 most commonly fails on anti-roll bar links worn and light unit fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... and abs fault.
How do I check a Chrysler Jeep 300'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.