Jeep Cherokee MOT pass rate and common problems
74.9% of 16,463 Jeep Cherokee MOT tests pass.
The Cherokee passes 74.9% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Jeep models (80.1%).
At 74.9%, the Jeep Cherokee passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Jeep Cherokee?
This is the average across every Jeep Cherokee in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Jeep’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Jeep Cherokee tested at 3–6 years pass 88.5% of the time, compared with just 66.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (11) | 11 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 88.5% | 445 | 45,344 miles |
| 6–10 years | 81.5% | 8,026 | 72,902 miles |
| 10–15 years | 72.8% | 999 | 89,175 miles |
| 15+ years | 66.9% | 6,982 | 112,050 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Jeep Cherokee
The most common reason the Jeep Cherokee fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 55.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 55.3% | Not working |
| Brakes | 50.2% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 46.4% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Tyres | 17.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 17.1% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 15.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 13.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 7.3% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 5.4% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Road Wheels | 2.6% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Jeep Cherokee: what to check
These checks follow the Jeep Cherokee’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Jeep Cherokee comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 81.5% to 72.8%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 86.2% down to 77.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 55.3% of failed Jeep Cherokee MOTs. 23.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.7% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 50.2% of failed Jeep Cherokee MOTs. 27.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 2.7% at 3–6 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 46.4% of failed Jeep Cherokee MOTs. 20.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 6.3% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 17.7% of failed Jeep Cherokee MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 17.1% of failed Jeep Cherokee MOTs. 10.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 1.6% at 3–6 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Jeep service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Jeep models
- Jeep Renegade — 81.3% pass rate
- Jeep Compass — 82.0% pass rate
- Jeep Grand Cherokee — 82.1% pass rate
- Jeep Wrangler — 83.4% pass rate
- Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland — 76.3% pass rate
- Jeep Patriot — 59.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Jeep Cherokee?
- 74.9% of Jeep Cherokee MOT tests pass, based on 16,463 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Jeep Cherokee?
- The most common reason the Jeep Cherokee fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 55.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Jeep Cherokee?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Jeep Cherokee are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. 23.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.7% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Jeep Cherokee?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; tyres; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Jeep Cherokee's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Jeep service history guide for how to check and keep one.