Chrysler Jeep Cherokee MOT Failures
An analysis of 4,868 real DVSA MOT tests on the Chrysler Jeep Cherokee — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: XJ (1990–2001).
Where the Chrysler Jeep Cherokee fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Chrysler Jeep Cherokee is suspension pin, bush or joint worn — this model is 33 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 4,868 MOT tests, 7.76% of all Chrysler Jeep Cherokee tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (75x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (17x the fleet average), abs fault (17x the fleet average), and fluid leak (12x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Chrysler Jeep Cherokee's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Suspension, Steering, Seatbelts & Airbags, Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics and others. If you're inspecting a Chrysler Jeep Cherokee before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Chrysler Jeep Cherokee's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Chrysler Jeep Cherokee specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are suspension pin, bush or joint worn (33x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (27x). seat mounting fault (17x) and fluid leak (12x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Chrysler Jeep Cherokee specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are headlight fault (116x the average) and transmission joint, belt or chain worn (93x). free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (75x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (23x) also appear frequently.
The shift from suspension pin, bush or joint worn at lower mileages to headlight fault at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Chrysler Jeep Cherokee specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion around suspension mounting points Dangerous
The Cherokee's unibody construction suffers from severe corrosion around suspension component mounting points, particularly at spring seats and control arm brackets. Affects XJ; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
Transfer case chain excessive wear Major
The Cherokee's Command-Trac and Selec-Trac four-wheel-drive systems use a chain-driven transfer case that suffers from excessive chain wear at high mileages. Affects XJ; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,200–£2,000.
Steering box excessive play Major
The Cherokee uses a recirculating ball steering box rather than a rack and pinion system. Affects XJ; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£700.
Suspension component wear Major
The Cherokee's suspension system suffers from accelerated wear of bushes, ball joints, and control arm components, failing MOT tests at 27x the fleet average. Affects XJ; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Chrysler Jeep Cherokee common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Chrysler Jeep Cherokee
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Chrysler Jeep Cherokee:
Suspension — check for suspension pin, bush or joint worn, abs fault, anti-roll bar links worn. Steering — check for free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion around suspension mounting points and transfer case chain excessive wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Chrysler Jeep Cherokee?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Chrysler Jeep Cherokee MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Chrysler Jeep Cherokee?
Based on 4,868 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is suspension pin, bush or joint worn — at 33x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... and seat mounting fault.
Is the Chrysler Jeep Cherokee reliable based on MOT data?
The Chrysler Jeep Cherokee has 11 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion around suspension mounting points as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Chrysler Jeep Cherokee most commonly fails on headlight fault and transmission joint, belt or chain worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are .
How do I check a Chrysler Jeep Cherokee's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.