2005 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
2,157 MOT tests on the 2005 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee are in this dataset, and 71.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.6% 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
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.5%) and brakes (14.1%) 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, position lamp and rbt (sp) — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 137 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 Cherokee fails 26.1% of the time in the 30-60k band and 25.5% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.7 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 355 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.1% | 305 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.5% | 249 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 140 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 129 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 106 |
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 | 137 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 131 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 121 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 93 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 89 |
| 6 | Wipers | 85 |
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 | 37.2% | 802 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.0% | 776 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.3% | 460 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.3% | 438 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 354 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 310 |
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 | 134 | 26.1% |
| 60-90k | 520 | 28.5% |
| 90-120k | 829 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 458 | 30.8% |
| 150k+ | 212 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,785 | 28.3% |
| Petrol | 372 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 601 | 28.0% |
| 2022 | 524 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 429 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 322 | 26.7% |
| 2025 | 281 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Cherokee
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
- Suspension (11.5% 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 2005 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 2,157 2005 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by brakes (14.1%).
Does the 2005 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.1% in the 30-60k band to 25.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,157 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.