2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.1L Diesel · AS08 OWL

The most recent DVSA examination on 17 November 2025 resulted in a pass, but the same test date also produced a Dangerous failure concerning both rear tyres, which were manufactured in 2017 and exhibited structural tears on the outer edges. This dual result is significant and indicates that while the vehicle was eventually presented in a roadworthy state, it was first deemed unfit for the road on the same visit. The broader trend across recent years shows a pattern of escalating and recurring concerns rather than stability. Between 2021 and 2025 the vehicle has accumulated a steady stream of advisories, including suspension arm wear, shock absorber oil misting, tyre perishing, and undersealed brake pipes, alongside major defects such as corroded rear brake pipes, a worn track rod end, inoperative side repeaters, an ABS and electronic stability control warning lamp fault, an engine management malfunction indicator, and incorrect side repeater colours. The recurrence of brake pipe corrosion, suspension wear, and tyre degradation across multiple tests suggests a vehicle that is beginning to demand more involved maintenance as it ages. The recorded mileage of 121,184 miles over approximately 18 years equates to an average of around 6,700 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and indicates consistent use rather than long periods of standing or unusually high annual accumulation. There are no conspicuous gaps in the MOT history that would suggest extended inactivity, and the annual mileage progression appears steady, which generally points to regular running and servicing. That said, even at average mileage, a PT Cruiser of this vintage will be approaching the stage where major consumables such as brake discs, calipers, suspension bushes, coil springs, and exhaust components begin to require renewal. The fact that the tyres fitted at the most recent test dated from 2017 suggests the vehicle may have stood for a period or that tyres were not replaced with sufficient regularity, as rubber of that age would be well beyond recommended replacement intervals regardless of tread depth. Given the recurring advisories relating to suspension, a prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the offside front suspension arm pin or bush, which was flagged in 2025. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during full-lock low-speed manoeuvres, and feel for any vagueness or wandering from the steering. Given the PT Cruiser's age, it is also worth inspecting the coil springs for corrosion or breakage, the rear shock absorbers for continued oil leakage beyond the light misting noted in 2023 and 2024, and the general condition of the rear brake pipes, as excessive corrosion was a major failure point in 2023. The 2021 advisory concerning the offside front inner drive shaft CV boot should be verified by physical inspection under the vehicle, as a deteriorated boot that has progressed to splitting will lead to grease loss and eventual joint failure. Any binding calipers should be checked by feeling for uneven brake disc temperatures immediately after a test drive, and brake pedal feel should be firm and consistent. Beyond the recorded defects, age-related items not necessarily captured on an MOT warrant close physical inspection. Tyres should be examined for sidewall cracking and perishing regardless of tread depth, particularly on a vehicle whose previous rear tyres were nearly eight years old at the time of test, and the spare wheel should be checked for age and pressure. The 12V battery should be tested for cranking strength, as a battery of this vintage will be well beyond its service life. Brake fluid, coolant, and automatic transmission fluid if applicable should be assessed for condition and replacement history, as these degrade with calendar age rather than mileage. The underbody and inner box sections, including sills, rear subframe, and chassis outriggers, should be examined on a ramp for corrosion, particularly given the noted use of underseal on the suspension and brake components, which can mask underlying rot. Finally, the ABS, electronic stability control, and engine management warning lamps observed as major defects in 2024 should be confirmed as cleared and the underlying causes professionally diagnosed, as intermittent warning lamp faults on a vehicle of this age can point to wheel speed sensor degradation, relay faults, or stored fault codes that may recur.