CarCostCheck

CHRYSLER PT CRUISER (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 387 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,397

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2397/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol1995cc23 years old387 tests94k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1995cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1995cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,397
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the CHRYSLER brand average of 74%.

At 23 years old, 68% of CHRYSLER PT CRUISERs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 387 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 94,435 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars342th of 445(top 77%)
Rank among CHRYSLER models63th of 78(top 81%)
vs national average-14%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average-4%(72% avg)
vs CHRYSLER average-6%(74% avg)

Mileage Analysis

94,435

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER has 94,435 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2008 model with a 77% MOT pass rate, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 68%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

CHRYSLER PT CRUISER by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200877%17290,229 mi
200771%1,02478,052 mi
200670%90979,709 mi
200570%61994,204 mi
200469%45098,727 mi
200368%38794,435 mi
200273%213103,406 mi
200172%16598,128 mi
200071%6594,335 mi

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About the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER

The 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER is a family car with a 1995cc petrol engine. 387 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 77% of 2003 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 94,435 miles at 23 years old, CHRYSLER PT CRUISER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER Fuel Costs

The 1995cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,397 200/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

CHRYSLER PT CRUISER Reliability Trend

The CHRYSLER PT CRUISER has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 0 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER

At 23 years old, the CHRYSLER PT CRUISER is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 94k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2003 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CHRYSLER PT CRUISER(2003)68%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2397
MINI MINI(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
FORD FOCUS(2005)71%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
TOYOTA COROLLA(2005)76%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£570
RENAULT CLIO(2005)67%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£180

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Related Guides

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