2009 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee passed 79.6% of its 790 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (25.3% fail rate), the 2009 Grand Cherokee comes out 5.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.7% of all tests — 5.6 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, position lamp and headlamp aim — ball joint alone was recorded 48 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 26.6% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 17.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 108 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.1% | 64 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 55 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 34 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 33 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 48 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 47 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 33 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 25 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 22 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 22 |
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 | 40.1% | 317 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.6% | 218 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.7% | 124 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.4% | 122 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 95 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.0% | 87 |
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 | 36 | 13.9% |
| 60-90k | 163 | 17.8% |
| 90-120k | 282 | 19.1% |
| 120-150k | 167 | 21.0% |
| 150k+ | 139 | 26.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 176 | 17.1% |
| 2022 | 183 | 23.5% |
| 2023 | 160 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 145 | 20.7% |
| 2025 | 126 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Grand Cherokee
On a 2009 Grand Cherokee, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.1% 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.
- Brakes (7.0% 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 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokees pass their MOT?
79.6% of the 790 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by suspension (8.1%).
Does the 2009 Grand Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 30-60k band to 26.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 790 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.