Chrysler Voyager MOT Failures
An analysis of 27,687 real DVSA MOT tests on the Chrysler Voyager — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: GS (1997–2009).
Where the Chrysler Voyager fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Chrysler Voyager is coil springs broken — this model is 724 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 27,687 MOT tests, 10.64% of all Chrysler Voyager tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include abs fault (27x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (16x the fleet average), power steering fault (12x the fleet average), and parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (14x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Chrysler 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: Suspension, Brakes, Steering, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Chrysler 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 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.
The standout failure at this mileage is light unit fault at 6.7x the fleet average.
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 Voyager specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (724x the average) and abs fault (27x). anti-roll bar links worn (16x) and parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (14x) 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 Voyager specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (253x the average) and steering rack wear (11x). abs fault (10x) and track rod ends worn (9.9x) 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 Voyager specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe mounting point structural corrosion Dangerous
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. Affects GS; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
Suspension component excessive wear Major
Suspension pins, bushes, and joints wear excessively on Voyagers, with MOT data showing failure rates 754.5 times higher than the fleet average. Affects GS; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
General vehicle structure corrosion Major
Body structure corrosion affects vehicle rigidity on Voyagers, with MOT failure rates 12.2 times higher than the fleet average. Affects GS; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£2,000.
Handbrake efficiency failure Major
Handbrake systems on Voyagers fail MOT efficiency tests at rates up to 11 times higher than the fleet average. Affects GS; 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 Voyager common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Chrysler Voyager
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Chrysler Voyager:
Suspension — check for coil springs broken, anti-roll bar links worn. Brakes — check for abs fault, parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r.... Steering — check for power steering fault, steering rack wear.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe mounting point structural corrosion and suspension component excessive wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. 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 Voyager?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Chrysler Voyager MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Chrysler Voyager?
Based on 27,687 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is coil springs broken — at 724x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include abs fault and anti-roll bar links worn.
Is the Chrysler Voyager reliable based on MOT data?
The Chrysler Voyager has 14 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe mounting point structural 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 Voyager most commonly fails on coil springs broken and steering rack wear. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are light unit fault.
How do I check a Chrysler 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.