2005 Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Jeep Cherokee passed 69.3% of its 693 recorded MOT tests. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (27.9% fail rate), the 2005 Cherokee comes out 2.8pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (16.3%) and lighting & signalling (14.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), component mounting prescribed areas and wipers — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 43 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 37.1% versus 24.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 38.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.6% in 2021 to 29.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 16.3% | 113 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 101 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.0% | 76 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 56 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 50 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.9% | 41 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 43 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 38 |
| 3 | Wipers | 37 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 37 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 28 |
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 | 38.0% | 263 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.5% | 246 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 25.1% | 174 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.4% | 162 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.6% | 122 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 110 |
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 | 58 | 24.1% |
| 60-90k | 219 | 29.7% |
| 90-120k | 233 | 31.8% |
| 120-150k | 138 | 33.3% |
| 150k+ | 35 | 37.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 498 | 28.1% |
| Diesel | 195 | 37.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 206 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 171 | 30.4% |
| 2023 | 130 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 107 | 30.8% |
| 2025 | 79 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Cherokee
On a 2005 Cherokee, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (16.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.0% 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 2005 Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
69.3% of the 693 2005 Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Jeep Cherokee?
Brakes, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.6%).
Does the 2005 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.1% in the 30-60k band to 37.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 693 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.