2004 Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 740 MOT tests, the 2004 Jeep Cherokee recorded a 71.5% pass rate. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.3%) and brakes (14.6%) 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, catalyst emissions and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 56 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Cherokee fails 27.1% of the time in the 30-60k band and 30.5% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.4 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 42.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 113 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.6% | 108 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.8% | 80 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 65 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 63 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 38 |
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 | 56 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 42 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 41 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 37 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 32 |
| 6 | Wipers | 31 |
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 | 42.8% | 317 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.2% | 253 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.6% | 197 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 22.8% | 169 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.8% | 139 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 105 |
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 | 48 | 27.1% |
| 60-90k | 211 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 253 | 29.6% |
| 120-150k | 144 | 29.2% |
| 150k+ | 82 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 428 | 29.0% |
| Diesel | 308 | 27.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 206 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 178 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 149 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 115 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 92 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Cherokee
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.6% 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.
- Suspension (10.8% 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 2004 Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 740 2004 Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by brakes (14.6%).
Does the 2004 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.1% in the 30-60k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 740 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.