Dodge Caliber MOT pass rate and common problems
54.2% of 1,344 Dodge Caliber MOT tests pass.
The Caliber passes 54.2% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Dodge models (77.4%).
The Dodge Caliber passes 54.2% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Dodge Caliber?
This is the average across every Dodge Caliber in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Dodge’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 52.3% at 10–15 years compared with 54.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 52.3% | 111 | 94,219 miles |
| 15+ years | 54.3% | 1,233 | 95,903 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Dodge Caliber
The most common reason the Dodge Caliber fails its MOT is suspension — present in 90.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 90.0% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 72.1% | Not working |
| Brakes | 27.9% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 21.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 20.4% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Body, chassis, structure | 20.2% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 18.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Steering | 13.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.3% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Road Wheels | 4.4% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Dodge Caliber: what to check
These checks follow the Dodge Caliber’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 60.9% down to 53.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 90.0% of failed Dodge Caliber MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 72.1% of failed Dodge Caliber MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 27.9% of failed Dodge Caliber MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 21.7% of failed Dodge Caliber MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Seat belts and airbags
Recorded in 20.4% of failed Dodge Caliber MOTs.
Pull every seat belt out fully and let it retract. Check the buckles latch and release, and that the airbag warning light goes out after starting.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Dodge service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Dodge models
- Dodge Ram — 87.9% pass rate
- Dodge Nitro — 68.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Dodge Caliber?
- 54.2% of Dodge Caliber MOT tests pass, based on 1,344 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Dodge Caliber?
- The most common reason the Dodge Caliber fails its MOT is suspension — present in 90.0% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Dodge Caliber?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Dodge Caliber are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Dodge Caliber?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; seat belts and airbags. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Dodge Caliber's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Dodge service history guide for how to check and keep one.