2018 Jeep Wrangler — MOT failures & pass rate
2,182 MOT tests on the 2018 Jeep Wrangler are in this dataset, and 88.2% of them passed. Against large SUVs of a similar age (10.3% fail rate), the 2018 Wrangler comes out 1.4pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 7.2% of all tests — 4.5 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, malfunction indicator lamp and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 120 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 20.0% versus 8.2%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 11.3% of the time against 12.1% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 12.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 157 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.8% | 60 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.4% | 53 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 46 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.7% | 38 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.4% | 31 |
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 | 120 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 41 |
| 3 | Washers | 34 |
| 4 | Wipers | 33 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 27 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 25 |
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 | 12.7% | 276 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.4% | 184 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.3% | 159 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.6% | 122 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 90 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.2% | 69 |
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 | 1,043 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 855 | 13.2% |
| 60-90k | 173 | 20.2% |
| 90-120k | 70 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,228 | 12.1% |
| Petrol | 954 | 11.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 492 | 11.4% |
| 2022 | 406 | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 411 | 12.2% |
| 2024 | 424 | 13.0% |
| 2025 | 449 | 15.1% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Wrangler
On a 2018 Wrangler, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.8% 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.
- Brakes (2.4% 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 2018 Jeep Wranglers pass their MOT?
88.2% of the 2,182 2018 Jeep Wrangler MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Jeep Wrangler?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by visibility (2.8%).
Does the 2018 Wrangler get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,182 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.