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Jeep Cherokee Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Jeep Cherokee car check

Is the Jeep Cherokee reliable? We analysed 73,214 real MOT tests across 7,811 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 73,214 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
79.5%
Typical Mileage
61,010mi
Annual Mileage
6,765mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Jeep Cherokee is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Jeep Cherokee.

Jeep Cherokee Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Jeep Cherokee. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Jeep Cherokee MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Jeep Cherokee to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

80%
2020
87.4%
2019
85.8%
2018
84.2%
2017
83.4%
2016
81.7%
2015
80.3%
2014
79.5%
2012
74%
2010
73.1%
2009
76.4%
2008
72.3%
2007
69%
2006
71.7%
2005
73.2%
2004
74.3%
2003
78.3%
2002
69.6%
2001
71.8%
2000
70.1%
1999

Jeep Cherokee Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Jeep Cherokee fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 569
Brake pipe excessively corroded 405
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 386
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 329

Jeep Cherokee Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Jeep Cherokee models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 983

Jeep Cherokee Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Jeep Cherokee owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
4,187 mi/yr
Typical
6,765 mi/yr
Average
7,842 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,026 mi/yr

Jeep Cherokee MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Jeep Cherokee year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2020 55 80.0% 22,496 38,088 61,460
2019 135 87.4% 17,141 30,516 45,657
2018 2,011 85.8% 25,534 38,399 55,025
2017 4,225 84.2% 28,944 43,157 62,149
2016 12,865 83.4% 34,196 50,558 70,699
2015 20,997 81.7% 37,972 56,788 78,802
2014 13,704 80.3% 38,635 58,687 81,646
2012 73 79.5% 49,591 67,157 97,324
2010 304 74.0% 45,892 69,735 99,760
2009 271 73.1% 51,805 81,431 106,956
2008 263 76.4% 49,888 68,580 96,327
2007 477 72.3% 66,571 88,307 114,449
2006 1,087 69.0% 48,888 74,933 102,308
2005 1,246 71.7% 53,606 78,841 106,462
2004 3,156 73.2% 53,610 79,615 107,654
2003 1,954 74.3% 49,657 73,634 106,499
2002 714 78.3% 62,148 88,242 109,905
2001 2,425 69.6% 66,121 88,227 114,742
2000 2,767 71.8% 67,497 89,520 114,109
1999 1,092 70.1% 76,058 97,961 128,181

How Long Does a Jeep Cherokee Last?

Based on 7,811 Jeep Cherokee vehicles on UK roads.

Average
10.1 years
Median
10.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Jeep Cherokee Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Jeep Cherokee MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
61,010 mi
75th Percentile
87,338 mi
95th Percentile
134,389 mi
Max Recorded
969,220 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Jeep Cherokee

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2019

87.4% MOT pass rate from 135 tests

Year to avoid
1992

61.5% MOT pass rate from 78 tests

The best year to buy a used Jeep Cherokee is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.4% across 135 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Jeep Cherokee Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Jeep Cherokee THIS CAR 79.5% 73,214 61,010 mi 27 yrs
Jeep Renegade 82.4% 216,942 45,731 mi 11 yrs
Jeep Grand Cherokee 82.8% 71,740 59,138 mi 27 yrs
Jeep Grand Cherokee Crd Ltd Auto 72.9% 59,684 90,431 mi 25 yrs
Ldv 400 62.9% 68,053 88,172 mi 33 yrs

Compared to the Jeep Renegade (82.4% pass rate) and the Jeep Grand Cherokee (82.8% pass rate), the Jeep Cherokee trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Jeep Cherokee?

The Jeep Cherokee has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.5% across 73,214 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Jeep Cherokee are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (569 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (405), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (386). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Jeep Cherokee with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.

A typical Jeep Cherokee owner drives around 6,765 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Jeep Cherokee models stay on UK roads for around 27 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Jeep Cherokee — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Based on 73,214 MOT tests, the Jeep Cherokee has a 79.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Jeep Cherokee?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, brake pipe excessively corroded, and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Jeep Cherokee do per year?
The typical Jeep Cherokee does around 6,765 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Jeep Cherokee last?
Most Jeep Cherokee models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 7,811 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Jeep Cherokee?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Jeep Cherokee?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Jeep Cherokee is 2019 with a 87.4% pass rate across 135 tests.