2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Jeep Cherokee MOT pass rate and common faults

478 MOT tests in 2024. 55.6% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time55.6%
Failed or needed repairs44.4%
Typical mileage at test114,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 478 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength6.9%
  2. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements5.4%
  3. Seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced4.4%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.0%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.8%
  6. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.3%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency less than 50% of the required value3.1%
    18 marked dangerous
  8. Rear fog lamp: not working2.7%
  9. Integral vehicle structure condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced2.5%
  10. Position lamp: not working2.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes33.3%
  2. Suspension27.0%
  3. Lights & electrics25.9%
  4. Body & chassis14.4%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.9%
  7. Steering5.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags5.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine16.9%
  2. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened14.6%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.4%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.0%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Jeep Cherokee?

In 2024, 55.6% of 2003 Jeep Cherokee cars passed their MOT first time, across 478 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Jeep Cherokee?

The most common failure reasons were component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; seat belts - prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2003 Jeep Cherokee reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).