Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 14 model years and 1,669 tests, the Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 passes its MOT 72.9% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.1%, so the Grand Cherokee V8 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 (16.1%) and brakes (13.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, pins and bushes and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 125 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Grand Cherokee V8 fails 28.7% of the time in the 30-60k band and 28.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.1 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Grand Cherokee V8 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 275 | 74.9% | 25.1% | Brakes |
| 2000 | 379 | 72.8% | 27.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2001 | 438 | 72.6% | 27.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2002 | 146 | 69.2% | 30.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2003 | 167 | 74.9% | 25.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2004 | 163 | 68.7% | 31.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2005 | 95 | 76.8% | 23.2% | Brakes |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 268 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.8% | 231 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.3% | 171 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 151 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 114 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 81 |
| 7 | Steering | 4.8% | 80 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.2% | 54 |
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 | 125 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 105 |
| 3 | Joints | 87 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 86 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 85 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 79 |
| 7 | Stop lamp | 78 |
| 8 | Decelerometer (sp) | 76 |
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 | 43.5% | 726 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.0% | 651 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 22.0% | 367 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.3% | 355 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.9% | 316 |
| 6 | Tyres | 18.3% | 306 |
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 | 80 | 28.7% |
| 60-90k | 398 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 527 | 27.3% |
| 120-150k | 412 | 26.7% |
| 150k+ | 243 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 492 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 389 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 319 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 242 | 24.0% |
| 2025 | 227 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a Jeep Grand Cherokee V8
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.8% 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 (10.3% 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 V8?
72.9% of the 1,669 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 27.1% fail rate, across model years 1998–2011.
What does the Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, then brakes (13.8%).
How much does mileage affect Grand Cherokee V8 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 28.7% for cars in the 30-60k band and 28.8% for 150k+, a 0.1-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,669 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.