Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited MOT pass rate & common failures
579 MOT tests on the Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited (2007–2012) give it a 74.3% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (25.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.5% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are side repeaters, headlamp aim and rbt (sp) — side repeaters alone was recorded 45 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the Wrangler Sahara Unlimited fails 22.0% of the time in the 60-90k band and 25.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 25.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.9% in 2021 to 20.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every Wrangler Sahara Unlimited model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 127 | 81.9% | 18.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 159 | 72.3% | 27.7% | Brakes |
| 2009 | 281 | 72.2% | 27.8% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 113 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.2% | 94 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.3% | 48 |
| 4 | Steering | 4.5% | 26 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 19 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.9% | 17 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.3% | 13 |
| 8 | Tyres | 1.2% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Side repeaters | 45 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 41 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 40 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 29 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 28 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 25 |
| 7 | Stop lamp | 23 |
| 8 | Parking brake performance | 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 | Brakes | 25.2% | 146 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.0% | 145 |
| 3 | Steering | 13.8% | 80 |
| 4 | Tyres | 13.3% | 77 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 59 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 58 |
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 | 168 | 22.0% |
| 90-120k | 200 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 105 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 68 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 128 | 28.9% |
| 2022 | 126 | 26.2% |
| 2023 | 110 | 24.6% |
| 2024 | 112 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 103 | 20.4% |
What to check before buying a Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited
- Lighting & signalling (19.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (16.2% 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 (8.3% 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 Wrangler Sahara Unlimited?
74.3% of the 579 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 25.7% fail rate, across model years 2007–2012.
What does the Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.5% of tests, then brakes (16.2%).
How much does mileage affect Wrangler Sahara Unlimited MOT results?
Fail rates run at 22.0% for cars in the 60-90k band and 25.0% for 150k+, a 3.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 579 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.