2008 Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
451 MOT tests on the 2008 Jeep Cherokee are in this dataset, and 72.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (26.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (18.0%) and lighting & signalling (16.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint and rbt (sp) — position lamp alone was recorded 39 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 42.5% versus 19.8%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 30.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 18.0% | 81 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 74 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.6% | 48 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.5% | 34 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 19 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.0% | 18 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 39 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 32 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 29 |
| 4 | Washers | 24 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 22 |
| 6 | Wipers | 20 |
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 | 30.6% | 138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.9% | 99 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 87 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.3% | 87 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.7% | 80 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 45 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 116 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 171 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 103 | 34.0% |
| 150k+ | 47 | 42.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 116 | 30.2% |
| 2022 | 104 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 87 | 26.4% |
| 2024 | 76 | 23.7% |
| 2025 | 68 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Cherokee
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 18.0% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (18.0% 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 (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.6% 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 2008 Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 451 2008 Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Jeep Cherokee?
Brakes, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.4%).
Does the 2008 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.8% in the 60-90k band to 42.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 451 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.