2008 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,093 MOT tests, the 2008 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee recorded a 76.0% pass rate. That is 2.2 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests against 9.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint and wipers — position lamp alone was recorded 75 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.9% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 28.6% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 45.5% 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 | 16.1% | 176 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.8% | 107 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.2% | 101 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.2% | 68 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 42 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 38 |
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 | 75 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 68 |
| 3 | Wipers | 40 |
| 4 | Washers | 38 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 37 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 37 |
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 | 45.5% | 497 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.5% | 312 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.2% | 232 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.4% | 223 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 174 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.9% | 141 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 191 | 19.9% |
| 90-120k | 355 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 307 | 24.4% |
| 150k+ | 210 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,037 | 24.1% |
| Petrol | 56 | 21.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 255 | 23.9% |
| 2022 | 242 | 22.3% |
| 2023 | 223 | 25.6% |
| 2024 | 211 | 25.1% |
| 2025 | 162 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Grand Cherokee
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.8% 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.
- Brakes (9.2% 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.
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 2008 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokees pass their MOT?
76.0% of the 1,093 2008 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by suspension (9.8%).
Does the 2008 Grand Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.9% in the 60-90k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,093 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.