1999 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1999 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee passed 72.8% of its 687 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (26.2% fail rate), the 1999 Cherokee comes out 1.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.8%) and brakes (14.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 59 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.3% in the 60-90k band and 31.2% in the 150k+ band, a 17.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.6% in 2021 to 26.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 102 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.3% | 98 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 76 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 70 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 29 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.1% | 28 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 51 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 41 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 39 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 33 |
| 6 | Joints | 31 |
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 | 34.6% | 238 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.7% | 218 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.1% | 179 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.1% | 138 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 105 |
| 6 | Tyres | 14.3% | 98 |
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 | 128 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 220 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 200 | 35.0% |
| 150k+ | 109 | 31.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 498 | 26.9% |
| Diesel | 187 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 180 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 152 | 29.6% |
| 2023 | 130 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 117 | 25.6% |
| 2025 | 108 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Cherokee
On a 1999 Cherokee, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.3% 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.
- Suspension (11.1% 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 1999 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 687 1999 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by brakes (14.3%).
Does the 1999 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.3% in the 60-90k band to 31.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 687 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.