2004 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee passed 71.9% of its 2,593 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.7%, so the 2004 Cherokee sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.2%) 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 component mounting prescribed areas, pins and bushes and position lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 182 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 42.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 395 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.3% | 372 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.9% | 309 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 237 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 130 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 123 |
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 | 182 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 152 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 132 |
| 4 | Wipers | 114 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 113 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 107 |
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 | 42.4% | 1,099 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.0% | 1,010 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.9% | 543 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.8% | 487 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 415 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 406 |
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 | 102 | 23.5% |
| 60-90k | 406 | 25.4% |
| 90-120k | 967 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 751 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 357 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,163 | 27.9% |
| Petrol | 430 | 29.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 767 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 627 | 29.7% |
| 2023 | 520 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 380 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 299 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Cherokee
On a 2004 Cherokee, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% 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 (11.9% 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 2004 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
71.9% of the 2,593 2004 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by brakes (14.3%).
Does the 2004 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.5% in the 30-60k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,593 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.