Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT Failures
An analysis of 104,489 real DVSA MOT tests on the Jeep Grand Cherokee — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: WK2 (2005–2021).
Where the Jeep Grand Cherokee fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Jeep Grand Cherokee is power steering fault — this model is 93 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 104,489 MOT tests, 0.63% of all Jeep Grand Cherokee tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include light unit fault (187x the fleet average), parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (85x the fleet average), parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (56x the fleet average), and steering rack wear (12x the fleet average). These ratios compare the 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: Steering, Lights & Electrics, Brakes, Tyres. If you're inspecting a 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 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.
For the Jeep Grand Cherokee specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are light unit fault (187x the average) and power steering fault (93x). parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (83x) and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (56x) also appear frequently.
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 Jeep Grand Cherokee specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (76x the average) and light unit fault (69x). parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (46x) and power steering fault (40x) 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... (59x the average) and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (36x). power steering fault (27x) and light unit fault (18x) also appear frequently.
The shift from light unit fault at lower mileages to parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Parking brake efficiency failure (WK2) Dangerous
The parking brake system on WK2 Grand Cherokee shows severe degradation in efficiency, with MOT failures occurring at up to 84.6 times the national fleet average. Affects WK2.
Power steering fluid leak and system failure (WK2) Major
The power steering system on WK2 Grand Cherokee suffers from multiple failure modes including fluid leaks from pump seals, reservoir cap failures, and complete system malfunctions. Affects WK2.
Premature shock absorber failure (WK2) Major
Shock absorbers on WK2 Grand Cherokee fail prematurely, with MOT data showing failures at 4.5 times the fleet average even on very low mileage vehicles (0-20k miles). Affects WK2.
Electronic stability control malfunction (WK2) Major
The electronic stability control (ESC) system develops faults that trigger the malfunction indicator light, with MOT failures occurring at The system integrates multiple sensors and control modules to prevent skidding and loss of control. Affects WK2.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Jeep Grand Cherokee common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Jeep Grand Cherokee
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Steering — check for power steering fault, steering rack wear. Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault. Brakes — check for parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r..., parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about parking brake efficiency failure and power steering fluid leak and system failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
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Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Based on 104,489 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is power steering fault — at 93x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include light unit fault and parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r....
Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable based on MOT data?
The Jeep Grand Cherokee has 6 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag parking brake efficiency failure 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 Jeep Grand Cherokee most commonly fails on parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the r... and parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are light unit fault and power steering fault.
How do I check a 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.