2008 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 365 MOT tests, the 2008 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler recorded a 68.8% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (26.3% fail rate), the 2008 Wrangler comes out 5.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 23.6% of all tests — 3.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and rbt (sp) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 34 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 33.3% versus 24.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 22.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.3% in 2021 to 26.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.6% | 86 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.0% | 73 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.0% | 22 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.4% | 16 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 15 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.3% | 12 |
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 | 34 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 33 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 24 |
| 4 | Side repeaters | 23 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 23 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 21 |
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 | 22.7% | 83 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.5% | 82 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.0% | 44 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 11.8% | 43 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 40 |
| 6 | Tyres | 10.7% | 39 |
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 | 41 | 24.4% |
| 60-90k | 96 | 33.3% |
| 90-120k | 119 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 66 | 37.9% |
| 150k+ | 33 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 83 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 73 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 73 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 75 | 37.3% |
| 2025 | 61 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Wrangler
On a 2008 Wrangler, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 23.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (23.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (20.0% 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.
- Suspension (6.0% 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 2008 Chrysler Jeep Wranglers pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 365 2008 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.6% of tests, followed by brakes (20.0%).
Does the 2008 Wrangler get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.4% in the 30-60k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 365 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.