2009 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler passed 74.2% of its 547 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (25.4% 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 21.4% of tests against 14.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, ball joint and side repeaters — headlamp aim alone was recorded 55 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 27.1% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 38.9% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 25.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.4% | 117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.6% | 80 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.5% | 41 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 25 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.5% | 19 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.3% | 18 |
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 | 55 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 43 |
| 3 | Side repeaters | 32 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 31 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 28 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 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 | Brakes | 25.1% | 137 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.9% | 109 |
| 3 | Steering | 12.6% | 69 |
| 4 | Tyres | 11.5% | 63 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 61 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.1% | 55 |
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 | 70 | 27.1% |
| 60-90k | 213 | 24.9% |
| 90-120k | 175 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 47 | 19.1% |
| 150k+ | 36 | 38.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 117 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 110 | 21.8% |
| 2023 | 104 | 24.0% |
| 2024 | 117 | 28.2% |
| 2025 | 99 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Wrangler
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.6% 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 (7.5% 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 2009 Chrysler Jeep Wranglers pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 547 2009 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Chrysler Jeep Wrangler?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.4% of tests, followed by brakes (14.6%).
Does the 2009 Wrangler get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.1% in the 30-60k band to 38.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 547 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.