2002 Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,538 MOT tests, the 2002 Jeep Cherokee recorded a 73.3% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 28.2% of the time, so this is 1.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.7%) and suspension (11.9%) 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, prescribed areas and suspension arm — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 93 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 26.0% in the 30-60k band and 40.4% in the 150k+ band, a 14.4-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 210 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.9% | 183 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.3% | 143 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 115 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 79 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.0% | 61 |
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 | 93 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 71 |
| 3 | Suspension arm | 67 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 67 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 66 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 66 |
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 | 37.0% | 569 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.5% | 408 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.1% | 309 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.4% | 298 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 270 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 255 |
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 | 100 | 26.0% |
| 60-90k | 434 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 600 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 293 | 28.7% |
| 150k+ | 104 | 40.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,466 | 26.6% |
| Diesel | 69 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 446 | 25.8% |
| 2022 | 380 | 26.3% |
| 2023 | 310 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 235 | 25.5% |
| 2025 | 167 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Cherokee
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.7% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (11.9% 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.
- Brakes (9.3% 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 2002 Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
73.3% of the 1,538 2002 Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by suspension (11.9%).
Does the 2002 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.0% in the 30-60k band to 40.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,538 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.