Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT Failures
An analysis of 22,780 real DVSA MOT tests on the Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: WJ (1999–2004), WK (2005–2010).
Where the Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee is suspension pin, bush or joint worn — this model is 19 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 22,780 MOT tests, 8.7% of all Chrysler Jeep Grand 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 anti-roll bar links worn (29x the fleet average), brake hoses perished or damaged (8.5x the fleet average), emissions failure (36x the fleet average), and fluid leak (11x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Chrysler Jeep Grand 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 4 categories: Suspension, Brakes, Exhaust & Emissions, Steering. If you're inspecting a Chrysler Jeep Grand 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 Grand 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.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
The standout failure at this mileage is suspension pin, bush or joint worn at 5.9x the fleet average.
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 Grand Cherokee specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (29x the average) and fluid leak (11x). brake hoses perished or damaged (8.5x) and headlight fault (8.0x) 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 Grand Cherokee specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are emissions failure (36x the average) and free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (33x). track rod ends worn (23x) and power steering fault (17x) also appear frequently.
The shift from suspension pin, bush or joint worn at lower mileages to emissions failure 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 Grand Cherokee specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Front suspension ball joint excessive wear Dangerous
The front suspension ball joints on Grand Cherokee models wear at significantly higher rates than typical SUVs, with MOT data showing failure rates 22.8 times higher than the fleet average on some variants. Affects WJ, WK; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£350.
Brake hose ferrule corrosion (WK) Dangerous
The brake hose ferrules on WK generation Grand Cherokee models suffer from accelerated corrosion, with MOT failure rates 7.7 times higher than the fleet average. Affects WK; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£250.
Vehicle structure corrosion (WK) Dangerous
The WK generation Grand Cherokee suffers from structural corrosion that seriously reduces the rigidity of the vehicle assembly, with MOT failure rates 5.8 times higher than the fleet average. Affects WK; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.
Front suspension pin and bush wear Major
Grand Cherokee models suffer from premature wear of front suspension bushes and pins, with MOT failure rates reaching 38.1 times higher than the fleet average. Affects WJ, WK; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£500.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Suspension — check for suspension pin, bush or joint worn, anti-roll bar links worn. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged. Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure, fluid leak.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about front suspension ball joint excessive wear and brake hose ferrule corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. 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 Grand Cherokee?
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Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Based on 22,780 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is suspension pin, bush or joint worn — at 19x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include anti-roll bar links worn and brake hoses perished or damaged.
Is the Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable based on MOT data?
The Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee has 15 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag front suspension ball joint excessive wear 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 Grand Cherokee most commonly fails on emissions failure and free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are suspension pin, bush or joint worn.
How do I check a Chrysler Jeep Grand 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.