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Dodge Charger Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Dodge Charger car check

Is the Dodge Charger reliable? We analysed 3,370 real MOT tests across 652 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 3,370 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.3%
Typical Mileage
54,074mi
Annual Mileage
1,014mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
58yrs

The Dodge Charger is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include track rod end ball joint has excessive play, direction indicator incorrect colour and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Dodge Charger.

Dodge Charger Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Dodge Charger. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Dodge Charger MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Dodge Charger to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

80.5%
2018
78.9%
2017
80.5%
2016
81.7%
2015
77.2%
2014
80.1%
2013
82.8%
2012
85.1%
2011
77%
2010
80.7%
2009
78.3%
2008
76.8%
2007
75.8%
2006
84.3%
2005
86.5%
2004
87.7%
2003
85.7%
1990
82.4%
1989
75.4%
1972
90.3%
1971

Dodge Charger Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Dodge Charger fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 52
Direction indicator incorrect colour 52
position lamp(s) not working 48
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 42
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 39
position lamp(s) incorrect colour 38
Side repeater missing 32

Dodge Charger Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Dodge Charger models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 24

Dodge Charger Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Dodge Charger owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
338 mi/yr
Typical
1,014 mi/yr
Average
3,041 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,950 mi/yr

Dodge Charger MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Dodge Charger year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2018 87 80.5% 7,717 24,107 46,061
2017 71 78.9% 35,869 55,816 67,550
2016 118 80.5% 33,524 63,836 85,416
2015 164 81.7% 17,418 43,952 91,667
2014 145 77.2% 34,948 69,770 88,662
2013 156 80.1% 25,872 51,445 74,717
2012 163 82.8% 41,408 73,089 107,138
2011 74 85.1% 62,119 84,143 131,302
2010 139 77.0% 64,526 92,880 108,832
2009 135 80.7% 34,340 61,997 78,956
2008 235 78.3% 35,738 70,846 105,550
2007 298 76.8% 34,695 56,176 86,019
2006 351 75.8% 36,146 60,876 90,136
2005 108 84.3% 14,311 44,155 72,683
2004 170 86.5% 15,773 24,892 73,820
2003 57 87.7% 24,421 52,419 72,444
1990 63 85.7% 16,002 65,354 70,382
1989 51 82.4% 16,988 41,579 43,564
1972 61 75.4% 27,690 34,488 66,157
1971 62 90.3% 15,616 29,091 82,956

How Long Does a Dodge Charger Last?

Based on 652 Dodge Charger vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.4 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
58 years

Dodge Charger Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Dodge Charger MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
54,074 mi
75th Percentile
83,237 mi
95th Percentile
137,539 mi
Max Recorded
698,424 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Dodge Charger

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1971

90.3% MOT pass rate from 62 tests

Year to avoid
1972

75.4% MOT pass rate from 61 tests

The best year to buy a used Dodge Charger is 1971, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.3% across 62 tests. The 1972 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Dodge Charger Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Dodge Charger THIS CAR 81.3% 3,370 54,074 mi 58 yrs
Dodge Caliber 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
Lambretta 125 88.4% 2,209 2,536 mi 63 yrs

Compared to the Dodge Caliber (66.6% pass rate) and the Dodge Nitro (70.0% pass rate), the Dodge Charger outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.

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Should you buy a used Dodge Charger?

The Dodge Charger has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.3% across 3,370 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Dodge Charger are track rod end ball joint has excessive play (52 recorded failures), direction indicator incorrect colour (52), and position lamp(s) not working (48). 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.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Dodge Charger with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Dodge Charger owner drives around 1,014 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 Charger models stay on UK roads for around 58 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.

Dodge Charger — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Dodge Charger reliable?
Based on 3,370 MOT tests, the Dodge Charger has a 81.3% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Dodge Charger?
The most common MOT failures are track rod end ball joint has excessive play, direction indicator incorrect colour, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Dodge Charger do per year?
The typical Dodge Charger does around 1,014 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Dodge Charger last?
Most Dodge Charger models stay on UK roads for around 58 years based on our analysis of 652 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Dodge Charger?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Dodge Charger?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Dodge Charger is 1971 with a 90.3% pass rate across 62 tests.