2004 Jeep Wrangler — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 396 MOT tests, the 2004 Jeep Wrangler recorded a 78.0% pass rate. Against large SUVs of a similar age (25.3% fail rate), the 2004 Wrangler comes out 3.4pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests against 7.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rear fog lamp and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 31 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.9% in the 30-60k band and 30.0% in the 120-150k band, a 8.1-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 24.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.3% in 2021 to 17.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.7% | 66 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.6% | 30 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.3% | 25 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.8% | 15 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 14 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 11 |
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 | 31 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 22 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 17 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 17 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 17 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 16 |
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 | 24.5% | 97 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 13.9% | 55 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.6% | 54 |
| 4 | Tyres | 11.4% | 45 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 36 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.6% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 96 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 149 | 19.5% |
| 90-120k | 93 | 23.7% |
| 120-150k | 30 | 30.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 82 | 21.9% |
| 2023 | 86 | 24.4% |
| 2024 | 90 | 20.0% |
| 2025 | 85 | 17.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Wrangler
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.6% 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.
- Brakes (6.3% 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.
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 2004 Jeep Wranglers pass their MOT?
78.0% of the 396 2004 Jeep Wrangler MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Jeep Wrangler?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by suspension (7.6%).
Does the 2004 Wrangler get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 30-60k band to 30.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 396 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.