Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd MOT pass rate & common failures
1,160 MOT tests on the Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd (1996–2008) give it a 73.0% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 26.4%, so the Grand Cherokee Ltd sits squarely on the average. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.1%) and brakes (12.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, prescribed areas and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 89 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 31.1% versus 26.6%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Grand Cherokee Ltd model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 97 | 74.2% | 25.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1997 | 268 | 70.9% | 29.1% | Brakes |
| 1998 | 159 | 69.8% | 30.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1999 | 98 | 70.4% | 29.6% | Brakes |
| 2003 | 176 | 70.5% | 29.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2005 | 183 | 80.3% | 19.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 117 | 77.8% | 22.2% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 164 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.8% | 148 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.7% | 112 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 95 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 56 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 55 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.5% | 52 |
| 8 | Steering | 4.0% | 47 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 89 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 71 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 57 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 49 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 46 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 44 |
| 7 | Wipers | 44 |
| 8 | Exhaust system | 43 |
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 | 34.9% | 405 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.8% | 392 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 20.9% | 242 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.1% | 233 |
| 5 | Tyres | 16.6% | 193 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 151 |
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 | 79 | 26.6% |
| 60-90k | 224 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 389 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 281 | 24.9% |
| 150k+ | 180 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,109 | 26.7% |
| Diesel | 38 | 34.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 332 | 28.9% |
| 2022 | 248 | 24.6% |
| 2023 | 224 | 27.2% |
| 2024 | 192 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 164 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd
- Lighting & signalling (14.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.8% 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 (9.7% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd?
73.0% of the 1,160 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 27.0% fail rate, across model years 1996–2008.
What does the Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.1% of tests, then brakes (12.8%).
How much does mileage affect Grand Cherokee Ltd MOT results?
Fail rates run at 26.6% for cars in the 30-60k band and 31.1% for 150k+, a 4.5-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,160 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.