2007 Jeep Wrangler — MOT failures & pass rate
263 MOT tests on the 2007 Jeep Wrangler are in this dataset, and 77.6% of them passed. That is 1.6 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 24.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.3% of all tests — 10.6 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and side repeaters — headlamp aim alone was recorded 34 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.7% in the 30-60k band and 23.2% in the 90-120k band, a 6.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 18.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.0% in 2021 to 20.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.3% | 56 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.7% | 28 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.3% | 14 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.9% | 13 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 10 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.0% | 8 |
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 | 34 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 21 |
| 3 | Side repeaters | 13 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 13 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 11 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 11 |
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 | 18.6% | 49 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.1% | 37 |
| 3 | Tyres | 9.5% | 25 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 23 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 20 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.5% | 17 |
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 | 66 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 96 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 56 | 23.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 134 | 14.2% |
| Diesel | 129 | 31.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 37 | 27.0% |
| 2022 | 51 | 19.6% |
| 2023 | 50 | 22.0% |
| 2024 | 61 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 64 | 20.3% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Wrangler
On a 2007 Wrangler, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.7% 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.
- Visibility (5.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2007 Jeep Wranglers pass their MOT?
77.6% of the 263 2007 Jeep Wrangler MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Jeep Wrangler?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.3% of tests, followed by brakes (10.7%).
Does the 2007 Wrangler get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 30-60k band to 23.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 263 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.