2002 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee passed 75.9% of its 594 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2002 Grand Cherokee comes out 3.5pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.1%) and brakes (12.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and headlamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 44 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 25.8% versus 15.8%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.3% in 2021 to 12.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 78 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 72 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 66 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 38 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.1% | 30 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 44 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 33 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 30 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 29 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 29 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 27 |
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 | 39.2% | 233 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.6% | 229 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 95 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.3% | 91 |
| 5 | Tyres | 14.1% | 84 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.5% | 80 |
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 | 38 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 77 | 19.5% |
| 90-120k | 203 | 26.6% |
| 120-150k | 150 | 23.3% |
| 150k+ | 124 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 360 | 19.2% |
| Diesel | 231 | 31.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 194 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 153 | 26.1% |
| 2023 | 115 | 24.3% |
| 2024 | 76 | 19.7% |
| 2025 | 56 | 12.5% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Grand Cherokee
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
- Suspension (11.1% 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.
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 Grand Cherokees pass their MOT?
75.9% of the 594 2002 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by brakes (12.1%).
Does the 2002 Grand Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.8% in the 30-60k band to 25.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 594 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.