2003 Jeep Cherokee Crd A — MOT failures & pass rate
1,238 MOT tests on the 2003 Jeep Cherokee Crd A are in this dataset, and 68.2% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 Cherokee Crd A comes out 4.2pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (18.1%) and lighting & signalling (15.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rbt (sp) and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 115 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.1% in the 30-60k band and 39.0% in the 150k+ band, a 21.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 18.1% | 224 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 188 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.9% | 172 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 113 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 73 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.2% | 52 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 115 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 94 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 69 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 63 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 56 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 56 |
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 | 35.1% | 435 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.0% | 433 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.7% | 281 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.2% | 262 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.5% | 204 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 175 |
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 | 17.1% |
| 60-90k | 128 | 31.3% |
| 90-120k | 395 | 30.1% |
| 120-150k | 435 | 31.3% |
| 150k+ | 231 | 39.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 373 | 29.2% |
| 2022 | 304 | 32.2% |
| 2023 | 226 | 33.2% |
| 2024 | 192 | 35.9% |
| 2025 | 143 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Cherokee Crd A
On a 2003 Cherokee Crd A, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (18.1% 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 (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.9% 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 2003 Jeep Cherokee Crd As pass their MOT?
68.2% of the 1,238 2003 Jeep Cherokee Crd A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Jeep Cherokee Crd A?
Brakes, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.2%).
Does the 2003 Cherokee Crd A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 30-60k band to 39.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,238 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.