Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A MOT Failures

An analysis of 3,951 real DVSA MOT tests on the Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: KA (2007–2012).

Where the Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A is electrical wiring fault — this model is 14 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 3,951 MOT tests, 5.72% of all Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A 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 fluid leak (8.5x the fleet average), wheel bearings worn (5.3x the fleet average), suspension pin, bush or joint worn (22x the fleet average), and parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (18x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A'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, Exhaust & Emissions, Suspension, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A 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 Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A'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.

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 Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (18x the average) and electrical wiring fault (13x). abs fault (10x) and parking brake inoperative on one side (8.2x) 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 Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension pin, bush or joint worn (22x the average) and parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (13x). electrical wiring fault (10x) and parking brake inoperative on one side (6.9x) also appear frequently.

The shift from parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... at lower mileages to suspension pin, bush or joint 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 Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Suspension pin and bush excessive wear (KA) Major

The Nitro experiences accelerated wear of suspension bushes and pins, particularly in the front suspension arms and anti-roll bar links. Affects KA; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.

Parking brake efficiency failure (KA) Major

The Nitro's parking brake system shows poor efficiency at MOT test, failing at 18.2 times the national average. Affects KA; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.

Brake binding (KA) Major

MOT data shows the Nitro fails at 3.8 times the national average for brake binding, where significant brake effort is recorded with no brake pedal applied. Affects KA; typical independent garage repair cost is £250–£450.

Exhaust system deterioration (KA)

The Nitro shows elevated MOT failure rates for exhaust system problems at higher mileages, failing at 2.4 times the national average. Affects KA; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Dodge (usa) Nitro Sxt Crd A:

Lights & Electrics — check for electrical wiring fault. Exhaust & Emissions — check for fluid leak. Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn, suspension pin, bush or joint worn, abs fault.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about suspension pin and bush excessive wear and parking brake efficiency failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £400. 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.

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.