2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 — MOT failures & pass rate
438 MOT tests on the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 are in this dataset, and 72.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.2%, so the 2001 Grand Cherokee V8 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.8%) and brakes (14.4%) 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 40 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 29.4% in the 60-90k band and 25.0% in the 150k+ band, a 4.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.3% in 2021 to 24.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 69 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.4% | 63 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 43 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 38 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.9% | 26 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.6% | 20 |
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 | 40 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 31 |
| 3 | Joints | 28 |
| 4 | Decelerometer (sp) | 23 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 23 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 23 |
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 | 38.1% | 167 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.2% | 163 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.7% | 108 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 94 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.4% | 85 |
| 6 | Tyres | 18.7% | 82 |
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 | 109 | 29.4% |
| 90-120k | 157 | 28.0% |
| 120-150k | 128 | 25.8% |
| 150k+ | 36 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 133 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 99 | 25.3% |
| 2023 | 89 | 32.6% |
| 2024 | 60 | 21.7% |
| 2025 | 57 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Grand Cherokee V8
On a 2001 Grand Cherokee V8, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.4% 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 (9.8% 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 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8s pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 438 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by brakes (14.4%).
Does the 2001 Grand Cherokee V8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.4% in the 60-90k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 438 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.