1997 Jeep Cherokee A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 718 MOT tests, the 1997 Jeep Cherokee A recorded a 74.0% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (25.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (15.2%) and lighting & signalling (13.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 58 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 28.4% versus 21.9%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.2% | 109 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 98 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.2% | 66 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 52 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 40 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 30 |
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 | 58 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 53 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 46 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 41 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 35 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 30 |
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 | 30.6% | 220 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 30.4% | 218 |
| 3 | Suspension | 29.7% | 213 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.5% | 147 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 112 |
| 6 | Steering | 14.6% | 105 |
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 | 32 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 89 | 18.0% |
| 90-120k | 245 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 184 | 25.5% |
| 150k+ | 162 | 28.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 168 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 144 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 150 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 136 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 120 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Cherokee A
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 15.2% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (15.2% 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.
- 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 (9.2% 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 1997 Jeep Cherokee As pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 718 1997 Jeep Cherokee A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Jeep Cherokee A?
Brakes, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.7%).
Does the 1997 Cherokee A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 30-60k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 718 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.