2001 Jeep Wrangler — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 447 MOT tests, the 2001 Jeep Wrangler recorded a 74.9% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 25.0%, so the 2001 Wrangler sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.1% of all tests — 6.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, service brake performance and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 37 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 32.4% versus 18.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 32.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 81 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.1% | 54 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.1% | 36 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 26 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 19 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 13 |
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 | 37 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 27 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 24 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 21 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 20 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 20 |
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% | 144 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.2% | 108 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 16.3% | 73 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.9% | 53 |
| 5 | Steering | 11.0% | 49 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 29 |
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 | 94 | 18.1% |
| 60-90k | 167 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 115 | 27.0% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 61 | 18.0% |
| 2022 | 95 | 25.3% |
| 2023 | 88 | 22.7% |
| 2024 | 106 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 97 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Wrangler
On a 2001 Wrangler, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.1% 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 (8.1% 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 2001 Jeep Wranglers pass their MOT?
74.9% of the 447 2001 Jeep Wrangler MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Jeep Wrangler?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by brakes (12.1%).
Does the 2001 Wrangler get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.1% in the 30-60k band to 32.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 447 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.