2002 Jeep Wrangler — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 367 MOT tests, the 2002 Jeep Wrangler recorded a 77.7% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 25.2% of the time, so this is 2.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests against 8.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and linkage pins and bushes — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 20 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 34.4% versus 20.0%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.4% in 2021 to 21.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 54 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.7% | 32 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.5% | 31 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.6% | 17 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.5% | 13 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.7% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 20 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 3 | Linkage pins and bushes | 16 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 15 |
| 5 | Wipers | 15 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 15 |
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 | 35.4% | 130 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.0% | 88 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 12.8% | 47 |
| 4 | Tyres | 11.4% | 42 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 38 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 28 |
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 | 70 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 189 | 19.6% |
| 90-120k | 58 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 32 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 64 | 23.4% |
| 2022 | 77 | 19.5% |
| 2023 | 78 | 25.6% |
| 2024 | 75 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 73 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Wrangler
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.7% 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 (8.5% 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 Wranglers pass their MOT?
77.7% of the 367 2002 Jeep Wrangler MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Jeep Wrangler?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by brakes (8.7%).
Does the 2002 Wrangler get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 34.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 367 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.