2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
343 MOT tests on the 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee are in this dataset, and 70.9% of them passed. That is 3.9 percentage points worse than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 25.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.9% of all tests — 3.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, catalyst emissions and headlamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 20 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Grand Cherokee fails 30.6% of the time in the 60-90k band and 32.4% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.7 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 45.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 58 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.7% | 47 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.4% | 39 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.4% | 39 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 19 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 20 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 20 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 19 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 19 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 17 |
| 6 | Anti-lock braking system | 17 |
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 | 45.5% | 156 |
| 2 | Brakes | 43.7% | 150 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 28.9% | 99 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.1% | 86 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 22.4% | 77 |
| 6 | Tyres | 20.7% | 71 |
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 | 49 | 30.6% |
| 90-120k | 149 | 30.9% |
| 120-150k | 59 | 23.7% |
| 150k+ | 68 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 309 | 28.2% |
| Diesel | 34 | 38.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 90 | 28.9% |
| 2022 | 79 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 78 | 34.6% |
| 2024 | 54 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 42 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Grand Cherokee
On a 2002 Grand Cherokee, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.7% 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 (11.4% 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 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokees pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 343 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by brakes (13.7%).
Does the 2002 Grand Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.6% in the 60-90k band to 32.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 343 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.