2001 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee passed 72.0% of its 762 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests against 12.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 86 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.2% versus 17.9%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 36.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.6% in 2021 to 24.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 121 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.9% | 98 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.7% | 89 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 76 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 44 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 35 |
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 | 86 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 52 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 38 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 38 |
| 5 | Wipers | 38 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 37 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.6% | 279 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.7% | 272 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 28.6% | 218 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.6% | 157 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.0% | 114 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 113 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 39 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 190 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 158 | 24.1% |
| 120-150k | 249 | 33.7% |
| 150k+ | 124 | 28.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 395 | 24.3% |
| Diesel | 359 | 32.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 214 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 185 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 154 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 114 | 33.3% |
| 2025 | 95 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Cherokee
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.9% 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 (11.7% 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 2001 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 762 2001 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by brakes (12.9%).
Does the 2001 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 30-60k band to 28.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 762 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.