1998 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler passed 73.7% of its 505 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (25.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests against 10.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and rigid brake pipes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 43 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.2% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 37.1% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.9% 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 | 18.2% | 92 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.7% | 54 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.7% | 49 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 37 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 30 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 43 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 40 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 34 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 31 |
| 5 | Wipers | 24 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 23 |
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 | 31.9% | 161 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.0% | 111 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.6% | 109 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 58 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.3% | 57 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.1% | 56 |
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 | 194 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 197 | 31.5% |
| 120-150k | 43 | 25.6% |
| 150k+ | 35 | 37.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 117 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 108 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 94 | 22.3% |
| 2024 | 96 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 90 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Wrangler
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.7% 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 (9.7% 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 1998 Chrysler Jeep Wranglers pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 505 1998 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.2% of tests, followed by brakes (10.7%).
Does the 1998 Wrangler get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 60-90k band to 37.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 505 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.