2003 Jeep Cherokee Crd — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,551 MOT tests, the 2003 Jeep Cherokee Crd recorded a 67.2% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2003 Cherokee Crd comes out 5.1pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (18.5%) and suspension (16.4%) 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 218 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.9% in the 30-60k band and 37.4% in the 150k+ band, a 11.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.3% in 2021 to 28.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 18.5% | 287 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.4% | 254 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 229 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 154 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 82 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.6% | 71 |
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 | 218 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 115 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 91 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 80 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 78 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 75 |
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 | 40.6% | 629 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.7% | 523 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.7% | 321 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.9% | 308 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.3% | 252 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 223 |
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 | 54 | 25.9% |
| 60-90k | 243 | 32.9% |
| 90-120k | 490 | 32.5% |
| 120-150k | 459 | 30.7% |
| 150k+ | 302 | 37.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 508 | 34.3% |
| 2022 | 387 | 33.1% |
| 2023 | 287 | 33.1% |
| 2024 | 213 | 31.9% |
| 2025 | 156 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Cherokee Crd
On a 2003 Cherokee Crd, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (18.5% 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 (16.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 Crds pass their MOT?
67.2% of the 1,551 2003 Jeep Cherokee Crd MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Jeep Cherokee Crd?
Brakes, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by suspension (16.4%).
Does the 2003 Cherokee Crd get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.9% in the 30-60k band to 37.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,551 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.