Dodge Caliber (2008)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 648 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,427

£202/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£275

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1968cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2,427/year to run. 18 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Dodge Caliber

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Diesel1968cc18 years old648 tests94k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1968cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,427

Per month£202/mo

Per week£47/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Dodge brand average of 84%.

64% of MOT tests on Dodge Calibers from 2008 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 16 years old. That's based on 648 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 93,965 miles.

Got a Dodge Caliber you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 models541st of 566(bottom 5%)

Rank among Dodge models57th of 59(bottom 6%)

vs average of all models-18%(82% avg)

vs 2008 models average-9%(73% avg)

vs Dodge average-20%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

93,965

Average miles

118,400

Expected for age

The average 2008 Dodge Caliber had 93,965 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Dodge Caliber?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 66%, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 62%. The 2008 scores 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Dodge Caliber by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2009	65%	270	89,813 mi
2008	64%	648	93,965 mi
2007	62%	484	101,095 mi
2006	66%	368	95,385 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Astra

2010 · 1910cc Diesel

£2,227/year

74%

+10%

Volkswagen Golf

2010 · 1896cc Diesel

£2,227/year

77%

+13%

Volkswagen Polo

2010 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,944/year

74%

+10%

Honda Civic

2007 · 2204cc Diesel

£2,641/year

72%

+8%

Check a Specific Dodge Caliber

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 2008 Dodge Caliber

The 2008 Dodge Caliber is a family car. Our records list a 1968cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 648 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 5% of 2008 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 93,965 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Dodge Caliber owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 Dodge Caliber Fuel Costs

The 1968cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2008 Dodge Caliber?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,427 (£202/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Dodge Caliber Reliability Trend

The Dodge Caliber has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 2008 Dodge Caliber

At 18 years old, the Dodge Caliber 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2006 model has the highest pass rate at 66%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 64% 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 2008 Dodge Caliber stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Dodge Caliber(2008)	64%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,427
Vauxhall Astra(2010)	74%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£200
Volkswagen Golf(2010)	77%	£1,397	£275	Grp 18-32	£2,227-£200
Volkswagen Polo(2010)	74%	£1,219	£170	Grp 12-25	£1,944-£483
Honda Civic(2007)	72%	£1,676	£410	Grp 25-38	£2,641+£214

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2008 Dodge Caliber

Is the 2008 Dodge Caliber reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 64% of MOT tests on 2008 Dodge Calibers ended in a pass, from 648 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2008 Dodge Caliber cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,427 a year (£202 a month): £1,397 fuel, £275 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Dodge Caliber?

64% of 648 MOT tests on the 2008 Dodge Caliber ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 541st of 566 models first registered in 2008 (bottom 5%).

Which year Dodge Caliber has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2006 Dodge Caliber has the highest MOT pass rate at 66% and the 2007 the lowest at 62%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2008 Dodge Caliber?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2008 Dodge Caliber is 93,965 miles, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.