2003 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 936 MOT tests, the 2003 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee recorded a 74.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 2.0pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.8%) and brakes (12.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, position lamp and component mounting prescribed areas — pins and bushes alone was recorded 81 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.9% in the 30-60k band and 28.7% in the 150k+ band, a 10.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 45.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.4% in 2021 to 23.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 129 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 115 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.8% | 101 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 62 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.5% | 51 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 40 |
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 | 81 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 48 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 47 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 42 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 37 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
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 | 45.3% | 424 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.6% | 361 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 20.5% | 192 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.9% | 149 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 141 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.3% | 124 |
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 | 39 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 183 | 24.0% |
| 90-120k | 329 | 24.3% |
| 120-150k | 218 | 27.5% |
| 150k+ | 160 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 554 | 28.5% |
| Petrol | 382 | 21.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 281 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 237 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 165 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 140 | 23.6% |
| 2025 | 113 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Grand Cherokee
On a 2003 Grand Cherokee, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% 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 (10.8% 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 2003 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokees pass their MOT?
74.4% of the 936 2003 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by brakes (12.3%).
Does the 2003 Grand Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 30-60k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 936 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.