2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.1L Diesel · AM05 TAZ

The 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser holds a valid MOT pass certificate dated 13 March 2024 at 174,796 miles, with zero defects recorded on that test. That clean result is significant because it follows a failed test just three weeks earlier on 20 February 2024 at 174,792 miles, where the tester flagged excessively corroded nearside and offside rear brake pipes, a binding offside front caliper, and missing anti-roll bar linkages on both front corners. The fact that all those defects were rectified before the March retest suggests the previous owner addressed the immediate failures rather than ignoring them. However, the underlying maintenance pattern across the full record is mixed. Corroded rear brake pipes appear as advisories in February 2022 and February 2023, then escalate to outright failures in February 2024, indicating a worsening corrosion trend in the braking system that was eventually repaired but not necessarily prevented from recurring. Rear shock absorber deterioration follows a similar trajectory, progressing from light misting and reduced damping in 2022 to repeated advisories in 2023, suggesting the dampers have been operating below optimal performance for several years. The mileage accumulation of roughly 8,324 miles per year over 21 years is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and does not raise immediate concern. The record shows steady annual progression from 160,470 miles in February 2022 to 167,265 miles in February 2023, then to 174,792 miles by February 2024, with no large gaps or sudden jumps that would suggest odometer tampering or prolonged storage. The most recent test in March 2024 recorded 174,796 miles, meaning the vehicle has covered only four miles in the fourteen months since. That extremely low usage since the last MOT is worth noting, as prolonged standing can cause its own problems including flat-spotted tyres, seized brake components, and fuel system deterioration. A buyer inspecting this vehicle in person should pay close attention to the rear brake lines and fittings, given the repeated corrosion findings that escalated from advisory to failure status over three consecutive years. The rear shock absorbers also warrant a thorough check, as the record shows persistent oil misting and reduced damping across multiple tests, and there is no evidence they have been replaced. The front anti-roll bar linkages were missing entirely in February 2024, so confirming they are correctly fitted and not loosely attached is essential. Steering rack inner joint play has appeared as an advisory in both 2022 and 2023, and while it did not feature in the 2024 tests, any clunking or vagueness at the steering wheel should be investigated. The headlamp aim and lens condition were flagged in 2023 and 2024, so checking for moisture ingress, haze, or poor beam pattern is advisable. Finally, the ABS warning lamp was illuminated during the February 2023 failure, and although it did not reappear in 2024, a diagnostic scan would confirm whether any fault codes remain stored in the system.