Compact SUV with big off-road attitude and Jeep DNA
The Renegade is Jeep's smallest SUV, built on a shared Fiat platform and aimed at younger buyers who want the iconic Jeep badge and distinctive looks in a compact, affordable package. It competes with the Nissan Juke and Skoda Kamiq but trades on its American brand heritage and chunky styling. The Trailhawk version offers genuine off-road capability unusual in this class.
We track 5 known issues across the Jeep Renegade range, with 3 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Jeep Renegade? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
BU (2014–2022) — Petrol options included the 1.4 MultiAir, 1.6 E-torQ, 1.0 GSE T3, 1.3 GSE T4, with 1.6 MultiJet, 2.0 MultiJet on the diesel side. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Suspension component excessive wear (£200–£600 to address).
The Renegade shows MOT failure rates up to 37.6 times the fleet average for suspension component wear, with 4,835 documented failures across all engine variants. The problem affects multiple suspension joints and bushes across the front and rear suspension. This appears to be a design or material weakness specific to the model, as failure rates are consistently elevated across all mileage bands from 20,000 to 150,000 miles.
Worn suspension components affect handling, braking stability, and tyre wear patterns. In severe cases, failed ball joints can cause loss of steering control. Repair typically requires replacement of multiple components due to the interconnected nature of suspension wear.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
MOT failure rates up to 14.0 times the fleet average for illuminated engine management lights, with 2,882 documented failures. The problem predominantly affects diesel variants but also occurs on the 1.4 petrol engine. US NHTSA data shows 840 engine-related complaints, many involving ECU and sensor faults that would trigger the management light.
An illuminated engine management light is an automatic MOT failure and indicates underlying engine or emissions system problems. The vehicle may enter limp mode, limiting performance. Diagnosis requires specialist equipment to read fault codes and identify the root cause.
Check all electrical functions systematically: windows, mirrors, lights, infotainment, heated seats, air conditioning. Look for any warning lights on the dashboard. A diagnostic scan before purchase can reveal stored fault codes.
MOT data shows failure rates up to 3.8 times the fleet average for steering ball joints with excessive wear or play, with 790 documented failures concentrated in the 20,000-60,000 mile range. This premature wear affects steering precision and safety, occurring at relatively low mileages for a modern vehicle.
Worn ball joints affect steering precision and handling. In extreme cases, ball joint failure can result in loss of steering control. This is a safety-critical component that requires prompt replacement when wear is detected.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
MOT data shows failure rates up to 19.8 times the fleet average for damaged or missing steering rack gaiters and ball joint dust covers, with over 8,000 combined failures. The problem appears from very low mileages including 0-20,000 miles, suggesting poor quality rubber compounds or inadequate protection from road debris. This is a recurring MOT failure point that worsens over time.
Damaged dust covers allow dirt and water to contaminate steering and suspension joints, accelerating wear and leading to premature failure. This is an MOT failure but does not pose immediate safety risks. Repair involves replacing the damaged covers and may require joint replacement if contamination has occurred.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
MOT data shows failure rates up to 5.2 times the fleet average for exhaust system leaks or security issues, with 1,002 documented failures on petrol variants. The problem appears from relatively low mileages and affects the exhaust system integrity, likely due to corrosion or mounting failures.
Exhaust leaks can allow dangerous gases to enter the cabin and cause MOT failure. Loose exhaust systems may drop or cause damage to other components. Repair typically involves section replacement or mounting repairs.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Jeep Renegade common problems page.
Based on 134k real DVSA MOT tests, the Jeep Renegade fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is tyre wear or damage at 24x the fleet average, followed by track rod ends worn (20x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Jeep Renegade MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 15k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£400–£600).
See the full Jeep Renegade service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Jeep Renegade is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. 2019-2023 models are the most reliable, benefiting from an improved engine, upgraded exterior design, and better infotainment. The 2019 refresh addressed many early complaints. Avoid 2015-2016 models which had the highest complaint rates for transmission, engine, and electrical failures. Choose a manual gearbox if possible to sidestep the 9-speed automatic issues.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Jeep Renegade, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Jeep Renegade issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.