2021 Jeep Wrangler — MOT failures & pass rate
1,160 MOT tests on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler are in this dataset, and 91.9% of them passed. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.9%, so the 2021 Wrangler sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.5%) and visibility (2.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and individual direction indicators — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 26 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 17.0% once past 60-90k — 3.1× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 8.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 24.7% in 2021 to 6.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 52 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.0% | 23 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.6% | 19 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.6% | 19 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 16 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.9% | 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 | 26 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 3 | Individual direction indicators | 18 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 16 |
| 5 | Wipers | 15 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 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 | 8.2% | 95 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.6% | 65 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.6% | 53 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.9% | 45 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.5% | 41 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 21 |
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 | 697 | 5.5% |
| 30-60k | 352 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 59 | 17.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,069 | 8.0% |
| Diesel | 89 | 9.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 89 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 514 | 6.2% |
| 2025 | 521 | 6.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Wrangler
On a 2021 Wrangler, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.0% 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.
- Suspension (1.6% 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.
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 2021 Jeep Wranglers pass their MOT?
91.9% of the 1,160 2021 Jeep Wrangler MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Jeep Wrangler?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by visibility (2.0%).
Does the 2021 Wrangler get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 0-30k band to 17.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,160 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.