2003 Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Jeep Cherokee passed 71.0% of its 1,102 recorded MOT tests. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 28.2%, so the 2003 Cherokee sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.4%) and brakes (14.2%) 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, headlamp and exhaust system — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 87 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 Cherokee fails 27.4% of the time in the 30-60k band and 27.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.4 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 159 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.2% | 156 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.3% | 136 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 96 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 73 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 53 |
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 | 87 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 53 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 50 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 47 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 45 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 45 |
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 | 33.0% | 364 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.5% | 347 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.2% | 212 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 185 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.8% | 174 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.1% | 155 |
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 | 95 | 27.4% |
| 60-90k | 287 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 449 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 208 | 33.7% |
| 150k+ | 63 | 27.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 975 | 29.2% |
| Diesel | 127 | 26.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 317 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 269 | 26.8% |
| 2023 | 225 | 32.4% |
| 2024 | 163 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 128 | 30.5% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Cherokee
On a 2003 Cherokee, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.2% 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 (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.
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 Cherokees pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 1,102 2003 Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by brakes (14.2%).
Does the 2003 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.4% in the 30-60k band to 27.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,102 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.