1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 264 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 73.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.1%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 50 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.4% | 30 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.1% | 24 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.5% | 12 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 11 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 19 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 17 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 14 |
| 5 | Service brake imbalance | 14 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 13 |
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 | 32.2% | 85 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.5% | 78 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.7% | 44 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.5% | 33 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.7% | 31 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 30 |
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 | 93 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 60 | 25.0% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 27.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 56 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 56 | 23.2% |
| 2023 | 59 | 33.9% |
| 2024 | 46 | 26.1% |
| 2025 | 47 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Wrangler Sahara
Before buying a 1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.4% 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 (9.1% 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 1998 Jeep Wrangler Saharas pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 264 1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by brakes (11.4%).
Does the 1998 Wrangler Sahara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.7% in the 60-90k band to 27.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 264 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.