2002 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee passed 72.2% of its 1,272 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.5%, so the 2002 Cherokee sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.7%) and suspension (13.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, pins and bushes and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 91 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 30.3% once past 150k — 2.2× the risk.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 27.5% of the time against 28.3% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 174 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.1% | 167 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.1% | 154 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 107 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 70 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 64 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 91 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 74 |
| 3 | Wipers | 68 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 56 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 54 |
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 | 41.8% | 531 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.3% | 398 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.8% | 277 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.1% | 269 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 240 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.8% | 214 |
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 | 44 | 13.6% |
| 60-90k | 255 | 23.9% |
| 90-120k | 428 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 306 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 238 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 707 | 28.3% |
| Petrol | 561 | 27.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 423 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 291 | 26.1% |
| 2023 | 235 | 26.0% |
| 2024 | 189 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 134 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Cherokee
On a 2002 Cherokee, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.1% 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.
- Brakes (12.1% 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.
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 2002 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 1,272 2002 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by suspension (13.1%).
Does the 2002 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.6% in the 30-60k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,272 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.