2004 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
1,031 MOT tests on the 2004 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee are in this dataset, and 74.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 1.7pp 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 (14.1%) and brakes (13.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, rigid brake pipes and component mounting prescribed areas — pins and bushes alone was recorded 82 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.7% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 26.6% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 42.8% 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 | 14.1% | 145 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.8% | 142 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.7% | 121 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 81 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.1% | 53 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 52 |
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 | 82 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 56 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 54 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 53 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 45 |
| 6 | Wipers | 42 |
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 | 42.8% | 441 |
| 2 | Brakes | 42.1% | 434 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.1% | 218 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.8% | 194 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 186 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.5% | 170 |
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 | 66 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 125 | 24.0% |
| 90-120k | 345 | 25.5% |
| 120-150k | 308 | 28.9% |
| 150k+ | 177 | 26.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 647 | 26.6% |
| Petrol | 384 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 314 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 256 | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 186 | 22.6% |
| 2024 | 163 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 112 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Grand Cherokee
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.8% 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 (11.7% 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 Grand Cherokees pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 1,031 2004 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, followed by brakes (13.8%).
Does the 2004 Grand Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.7% in the 30-60k band to 26.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,031 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.