1997 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 497 MOT tests, the 1997 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee recorded a 70.8% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (25.1% fail rate), the 1997 Cherokee comes out 4.0pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (14.1%) and lighting & signalling (12.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, headlamp aim and wipers — prescribed areas alone was recorded 38 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 32.2% versus 20.0%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.1% | 70 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 62 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.3% | 51 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 47 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 26 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 24 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescribed areas | 38 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 35 |
| 3 | Wipers | 25 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 24 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 24 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 21 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 41.4% | 206 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.6% | 177 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 29.0% | 144 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.9% | 94 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.3% | 66 |
| 6 | Steering | 13.3% | 66 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 80 | 20.0% |
| 90-120k | 167 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 101 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 118 | 32.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 366 | 29.2% |
| Diesel | 131 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 127 | 24.4% |
| 2022 | 111 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 105 | 34.3% |
| 2024 | 81 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 73 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Cherokee
On a 1997 Cherokee, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (14.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1997 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
70.8% of the 497 1997 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee?
Brakes, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.5%).
Does the 1997 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 60-90k band to 32.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 497 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.