2009 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
687 MOT tests on the 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee are in this dataset, and 72.9% of them passed. That is 1.8 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.5% of tests against 14.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint and service brake performance — position lamp alone was recorded 61 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 Cherokee fails 26.8% of the time in the 30-60k band and 27.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.4 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.0% 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 | 18.5% | 127 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.8% | 102 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.9% | 68 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.0% | 48 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.9% | 27 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.4% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 61 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 60 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 33 |
| 4 | Washers | 32 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 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 | 32.0% | 220 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.5% | 196 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.7% | 156 |
| 4 | Other defects | 16.2% | 111 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.7% | 94 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 84 |
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 | 41 | 26.8% |
| 60-90k | 194 | 22.7% |
| 90-120k | 248 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 160 | 36.3% |
| 150k+ | 44 | 27.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 162 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 150 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 143 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 126 | 30.9% |
| 2025 | 106 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Cherokee
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.8% 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 (9.9% 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 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
72.9% of the 687 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by brakes (14.8%).
Does the 2009 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.8% in the 30-60k band to 27.3% 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.