2012 Chrysler 200 2.4L Petrol · AD61 YBU

This Chrysler 200 shows a concerning trend of worsening mechanical health over the last three years. While the vehicle has covered a relatively low average of 4,523 miles per year, the recent MOT history suggests that these low miles may have been punctuated by periods of neglect or hard use, as the car is now requiring more frequent and significant repairs to pass its inspections. The most critical red flag is the rapid deterioration of the suspension system. In December 2023, the front shock absorbers were noted as having light misting, which is a common early warning sign. By December 2025, this had progressed to a serious fluid leak on both front units, resulting in an MOT failure. While these were replaced to secure the January 2026 pass, the fact that they failed so completely indicates that the vehicle's suspension components are reaching the end of their service life. There is a persistent pattern of neglect regarding basic maintenance items. The registration plate lamps have been flagged as inoperative in almost every inspection since 2023, suggesting a lack of routine bulb replacement. More importantly, the brake pads have been reported as wearing thin consistently since late 2024. Despite these warnings, the rear pads remain thin as of the most recent January 2026 test, indicating that the owner has been deferring necessary maintenance rather than addressing it proactively.