1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Jeep Wrangler MOT pass rate and common faults

249 MOT tests in 2024. 64.3% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

99About average
Passed first time64.3%
Failed or needed repairs35.7%
Typical mileage at test83,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 249 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Service brake imbalance: across an axle6.4%
  2. Position lamp: not working3.6%
  3. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.2%
  4. Headlamp aim: too high3.2%
  5. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.8%
  6. Service brake performance: efficiency below requirements2.8%
  7. Rear fog lamp: not working2.4%
  8. Stop lamp: not working2.4%
  9. Individual direction indicators: not working2.0%
  10. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics39.8%
  2. Brakes20.9%
  3. Suspension10.8%
  4. Emissions & leaks8.0%
  5. Body & chassis7.6%
  6. Seat belts & airbags3.6%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.2%
  8. Steering2.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded12.9%
  2. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened11.6%
  3. Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.8%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.8%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases7.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: service brake imbalance: across an axle. 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 1998 Jeep Wrangler?

In 2024, 64.3% of 1998 Jeep Wrangler cars passed their MOT first time, across 249 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Jeep Wrangler?

The most common failure reasons were service brake imbalance: across an axle; position lamp: not working; registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1998 Jeep Wrangler reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 99, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).