Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 12,919 MOT tests on the Jeep Grand Cherokee carried out in 2023. 26% failed at the first attempt, which is slightly below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Grand Cherokees passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1997 to 2020. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2012 models did best (77% passed, +11.1 points against the average for 11-year-old cars), while 2002 models fared worst (55%, −2.5 points). Tested cars had covered 90,128 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 11.1% of tests (roughly in line with the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 5.9% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 12,919
- First-time pass rate
- 74%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +2.5 points
- Average mileage at test
- 90,128
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Grand Cherokee?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Grand Cherokee MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 75 | 85% | 88% | −2.3 points | 22,438 |
| 2019 | 269 | 91% | 86% | +4.9 points | 31,547 |
| 2018 | 404 | 89% | 84% | +4.6 points | 43,742 |
| 2017 | 878 | 87% | 82% | +5.8 points | 52,952 |
| 2016 | 1,038 | 84% | 79% | +4.9 points | 60,776 |
| 2015 | 1,416 | 83% | 75% | +7.1 points | 69,270 |
| 2014 | 1,509 | 80% | 72% | +8.6 points | 79,321 |
| 2013 | 1,031 | 78% | 68% | +9.7 points | 85,924 |
| 2012 | 598 | 77% | 66% | +11.1 points | 91,778 |
| 2011 | 273 | 70% | 63% | +7.4 points | 101,024 |
| 2010 | 177 | 71% | 60% | +10.1 points | 103,182 |
| 2009 | 193 | 66% | 59% | +6.8 points | 110,391 |
| 2008 | 416 | 61% | 57% | +3.9 points | 118,514 |
| 2007 | 540 | 63% | 57% | +6.0 points | 117,302 |
| 2006 | 1,095 | 63% | 56% | +7.3 points | 120,138 |
| 2005 | 788 | 64% | 56% | +7.6 points | 118,522 |
| 2004 | 483 | 60% | 56% | +4.5 points | 117,428 |
| 2003 | 333 | 62% | 57% | +5.5 points | 118,144 |
| 2002 | 378 | 55% | 58% | −2.5 points | 122,292 |
| 2001 | 319 | 65% | 59% | +6.3 points | 111,033 |
| 2000 | 240 | 66% | 61% | +5.7 points | 115,595 |
| 1999 | 204 | 67% | 62% | +4.2 points | 119,246 |
| 1998 | 136 | 63% | 64% | −1.4 points | 119,842 |
| 1997 | 88 | 63% | 64% | −2.0 points | 119,887 |
Why the Jeep Grand Cherokee fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Grand Cherokee | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 11.1% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 9.3% | 6.8% |
| Suspension | 6.3% | 8.9% |
| Visibility | 4.3% | 4.8% |
| Body and structure | 3.8% | 3.5% |
| Tyres | 3.3% | 6.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.1% | 3.1% |
| Steering | 2.4% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.5% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.6% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working5.9%
- 2efficiency below requirements3.1%
- 3less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
- 4does not clear the windscreen effectively1.7%
- 5ball joint excessively worn1.7%
- 6inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.6%
- 7pin or bush excessively worn1.6%
- 8provides insufficient washer liquid1.5%
- 9prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength1.4%
- 10tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
Common Grand Cherokee MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Grand Cherokee, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 13.1% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 12.5% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 9.2% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.4% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 6.6% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 6.3% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 4.8% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 4.3% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 3.7% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 3.4% |
Tips to help your Grand Cherokee pass
Based on where Grand Cherokees most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 11.1% of Grand Cherokee tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 9.3% of Grand Cherokee tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Visibility · 4.3% of Grand Cherokee tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the Grand Cherokee ULEZ compliant? See the Jeep Grand Cherokee ULEZ check, or view all Jeep models.
Other Jeep models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 12,919 first MOT tests of the Jeep Grand Cherokee carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 12,919 first MOT tests of the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
What is the Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT failure rate?
In our data, 26% of 12,919 first MOT attempts on the Jeep Grand Cherokee ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Jeep Grand Cherokee fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (11.1% of tests), brakes (9.3% of tests), suspension (6.3% of tests).
Which Grand Cherokee year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2012 cars performed best: 77% passed first time, +11.1 points against the average for 11-year-old cars. The weakest was 2002, at 55% (−2.5 points).
How many miles had a typical Jeep Grand Cherokee covered at its MOT?
The average was 90,128 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2020 cars averaged 22,438 miles and 1997 cars 119,887.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 13.1% of tests, in the tyres area. 3.3% of Grand Cherokees failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Grand Cherokee's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 12,919 Grand Cherokees in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 55% to 91% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
Check any Grand Cherokee's MOT history
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