Dodge Caliber Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Dodge Caliber car check
Is the Dodge Caliber reliable? We analysed 69,277 real MOT tests across 4,774 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Dodge Caliber? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Dodge Caliber is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint, track rod end ball joint has excessive play and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Dodge Caliber.
Dodge Caliber Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Dodge Caliber. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Dodge Caliber MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Dodge Caliber to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Dodge Caliber Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Dodge Caliber fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Dodge Caliber Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Dodge Caliber owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Dodge Caliber MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Dodge Caliber year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 5,548 | 66.3% | 39,608 | 61,078 | 85,712 |
| 2008 | 16,866 | 67.4% | 38,599 | 59,760 | 83,750 |
| 2007 | 25,024 | 66.5% | 43,203 | 66,005 | 91,449 |
| 2006 | 21,692 | 66.1% | 42,861 | 65,485 | 91,858 |
How Long Does a Dodge Caliber Last?
Based on 4,774 Dodge Caliber vehicles on UK roads.
Dodge Caliber Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Dodge Caliber MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Dodge Caliber
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
67.4% MOT pass rate from 16,866 tests
66.1% MOT pass rate from 21,692 tests
The best year to buy a used Dodge Caliber is 2008, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 67.4% across 16,866 tests. The 2006 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Dodge Caliber Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Caliber THIS CAR | 66.6% | 69,277 | 63,872 mi | 20 yrs |
| Dodge Nitro | 70% | 31,689 | 69,599 mi | 19 yrs |
| Dodge Ram | 80.3% | 27,651 | 82,712 mi | 41 yrs |
| Dodge Journey | 71.1% | 21,384 | 69,650 mi | 18 yrs |
| Honda CB1300 | 90.3% | 29,948 | 16,373 mi | 23 yrs |
Compared to the Dodge Nitro (70.0% pass rate) and the Dodge Ram (80.3% pass rate), the Dodge Caliber trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Dodge Caliber you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Dodge CaliberShould you buy a used Dodge Caliber?
The Dodge Caliber has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.6% across 69,277 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Dodge Caliber are suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (3,411 recorded failures), track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2,848), and position lamp(s) not working (2,392). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Dodge Caliber owner drives around 6,551 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Dodge Caliber models stay on UK roads for around 20 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.