2014 Jeep Wrangler — MOT failures & pass rate
2,117 MOT tests on the 2014 Jeep Wrangler are in this dataset, and 81.6% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 15.1% of the time, so this is 3.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.9% of all tests — 7.8 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, side repeaters and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 153 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 27.3% once past 120-150k — 2.8× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 336 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.1% | 172 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.2% | 88 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.0% | 64 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 45 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.7% | 36 |
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 | 153 |
| 2 | Side repeaters | 99 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 98 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 83 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 65 |
| 6 | Washers | 63 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 21.1% | 447 |
| 2 | Tyres | 11.1% | 235 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 235 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.4% | 136 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 119 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 108 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 234 | 9.8% |
| 30-60k | 869 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 734 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 230 | 20.4% |
| 120-150k | 44 | 27.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,819 | 18.6% |
| Petrol | 298 | 16.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 410 | 16.1% |
| 2022 | 409 | 16.1% |
| 2023 | 418 | 18.2% |
| 2024 | 452 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 428 | 18.5% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Wrangler
On a 2014 Wrangler, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.1% 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.
- Visibility (4.2% 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 2014 Jeep Wranglers pass their MOT?
81.6% of the 2,117 2014 Jeep Wrangler MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Jeep Wrangler?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by brakes (8.1%).
Does the 2014 Wrangler get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.8% in the 0-30k band to 27.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,117 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.