2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
737 MOT tests on the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee are in this dataset, and 74.1% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large SUVs of a similar age (25.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.1%) and brakes (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 64 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2001 Grand Cherokee fails 22.8% of the time in the 30-60k band and 21.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.8 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 111 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.0% | 96 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 77 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.1% | 60 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.5% | 26 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.0% | 22 |
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 | 64 |
| 2 | Joints | 59 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 45 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 34 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 33 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 30 |
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 | 40.6% | 299 |
| 2 | Brakes | 40.3% | 297 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 22.4% | 165 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.4% | 158 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.3% | 150 |
| 6 | Tyres | 16.2% | 119 |
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 | 57 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 166 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 225 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 212 | 25.0% |
| 150k+ | 76 | 21.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 691 | 25.8% |
| Diesel | 44 | 27.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 218 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 176 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 137 | 22.6% |
| 2024 | 118 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 88 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Grand Cherokee
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Cherokees pass their MOT?
74.1% of the 737 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by brakes (13.0%).
Does the 2001 Grand Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.8% in the 30-60k band to 21.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 737 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.