2009 Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,077 MOT tests, the 2009 Jeep Cherokee recorded a 73.5% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 26.3%, so the 2009 Cherokee sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.8%) and brakes (16.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, rbt (sp) and headlamp — position lamp alone was recorded 105 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 Cherokee fails 23.3% of the time in the 30-60k band and 26.7% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 27.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 202 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.0% | 172 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.5% | 81 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.4% | 80 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 53 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 34 |
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 | 105 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 65 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 61 |
| 4 | Washers | 59 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 56 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 47 |
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 | 27.1% | 292 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.7% | 288 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.4% | 241 |
| 4 | Other defects | 16.9% | 182 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 162 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.6% | 125 |
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 | 60 | 23.3% |
| 60-90k | 337 | 22.6% |
| 90-120k | 447 | 28.9% |
| 120-150k | 179 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 45 | 26.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 245 | 24.1% |
| 2022 | 235 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 224 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 196 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 177 | 31.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Cherokee
On a 2009 Cherokee, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.0% 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.
- Visibility (7.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2009 Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
73.5% of the 1,077 2009 Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests, followed by brakes (16.0%).
Does the 2009 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.3% in the 30-60k band to 26.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,077 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.