2006 Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
280 MOT tests on the 2006 Jeep Cherokee are in this dataset, and 73.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (27.8% 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 (14.6%) and brakes (13.6%) 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 19 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 15.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 25.9% once past 120-150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 38.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 26.1% in 2021 to 21.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 41 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.6% | 38 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.4% | 29 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 21 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 16 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 16 |
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) | 19 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 19 |
| 3 | Wipers | 18 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 16 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 15 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 12 |
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 | 38.6% | 108 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.0% | 84 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.4% | 46 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 40 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.9% | 36 |
| 6 | Steering | 12.1% | 34 |
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 | 32 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 72 | 30.6% |
| 90-120k | 102 | 25.5% |
| 120-150k | 54 | 25.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 150 | 25.3% |
| Diesel | 130 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 69 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 68 | 25.0% |
| 2023 | 58 | 31.0% |
| 2024 | 47 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 38 | 21.1% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Cherokee
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.6% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Brakes (13.6% 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 (10.4% 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 2006 Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
73.2% of the 280 2006 Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by brakes (13.6%).
Does the 2006 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 30-60k band to 25.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 280 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.