2001 Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
536 MOT tests on the 2001 Jeep Cherokee are in this dataset, and 71.1% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 28.1%, so the 2001 Cherokee sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.5% of all tests — 3.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 33 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2001 Cherokee fails 26.1% of the time in the 30-60k band and 25.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.1% in 2021 to 28.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 83 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.3% | 66 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.6% | 57 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 46 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 39 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.2% | 28 |
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 | 33 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 28 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 26 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 25 |
| 6 | Wipers | 24 |
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 | 36.8% | 197 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 28.4% | 152 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.8% | 138 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.8% | 106 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.0% | 86 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 46 | 26.1% |
| 60-90k | 124 | 28.2% |
| 90-120k | 179 | 29.0% |
| 120-150k | 120 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 62 | 25.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 436 | 28.4% |
| Diesel | 100 | 31.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 161 | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 114 | 26.3% |
| 2023 | 101 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 85 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 75 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Cherokee
On a 2001 Cherokee, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.3% 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.
- Brakes (10.6% 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.
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 2001 Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 536 2001 Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by suspension (12.3%).
Does the 2001 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.1% in the 30-60k band to 25.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 536 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.