1998 Jeep Cherokee Td — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 700 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee Td, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 74.7% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.8% in the 150k+ group versus 20.2% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 116 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.9% | 90 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.4% | 80 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 63 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.1% | 36 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.0% | 35 |
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 | 89 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 70 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 40 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 34 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 33 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 32 |
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 | 37.3% | 261 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 36.4% | 255 |
| 3 | Brakes | 31.7% | 222 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.1% | 127 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.6% | 88 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.1% | 85 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 104 | 20.2% |
| 90-120k | 135 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 223 | 21.1% |
| 150k+ | 224 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 183 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 160 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 138 | 23.2% |
| 2024 | 117 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 102 | 22.6% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Cherokee Td
Before buying a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Td, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 16.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.9% 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 (11.4% 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.
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 1998 Jeep Cherokee Tds pass their MOT?
74.7% of the 700 1998 Jeep Cherokee Td MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Td?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by brakes (12.9%).
Does the 1998 Cherokee Td get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.2% in the 60-90k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 700 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.