Dodge Nitro Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Dodge Nitro car check
Is the Dodge Nitro reliable? We analysed 31,689 real MOT tests across 1,995 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Dodge Nitro? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Dodge Nitro is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, parking brake recording little or no effort and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Dodge Nitro.
Dodge Nitro Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Dodge Nitro. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Dodge Nitro MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Dodge Nitro to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Dodge Nitro Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Dodge Nitro fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Dodge Nitro Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Dodge Nitro models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Dodge Nitro Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Dodge Nitro owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Dodge Nitro MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Dodge Nitro year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 59 | 81.4% | 36,988 | 66,748 | 95,415 |
| 2009 | 10,241 | 70.3% | 44,151 | 67,800 | 93,498 |
| 2008 | 15,860 | 69.9% | 44,847 | 69,431 | 97,215 |
| 2007 | 5,419 | 69.6% | 47,160 | 73,734 | 100,373 |
How Long Does a Dodge Nitro Last?
Based on 1,995 Dodge Nitro vehicles on UK roads.
Dodge Nitro Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Dodge Nitro 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 Nitro
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.4% MOT pass rate from 59 tests
69.6% MOT pass rate from 5,419 tests
The best year to buy a used Dodge Nitro is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.4% across 59 tests. The 2007 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Dodge Nitro Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Nitro THIS CAR | 70.0% | 31,689 | 69,599 mi | 19 yrs |
| Dodge Caliber | 66.6% | 69,277 | 63,872 mi | 20 yrs |
| Dodge Ram | 80.3% | 27,651 | 82,712 mi | 41 yrs |
| Dodge Journey | 71.1% | 21,384 | 69,650 mi | 18 yrs |
| Toyota Hilux Invincib X D-4D4WD Dcb A | 89% | 15,540 | 42,939 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Dodge Caliber (66.6% pass rate) and the Dodge Ram (80.3% pass rate), the Dodge Nitro sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Dodge Nitro 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 NitroShould you buy a used Dodge Nitro?
The Dodge Nitro has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.0% across 31,689 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Dodge Nitro are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (1,177 recorded failures), parking brake recording little or no effort (805), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (712). 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 parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Dodge Nitro 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 Nitro owner drives around 6,279 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 Nitro models stay on UK roads for around 19 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.