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Jeep Grand Cherokee reliability

B · Good

MOT pass rates and common problems from 102,279 MOT tests of cars first registered 1998–2018.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
71.9%pass first time
+6.8 ptsvs typical car
Beats 79%of cars
102,279MOT tests

Verdict

The Jeep Grand Cherokee passes its MOT first time on 71.9% of tests, 6.8 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (65.1%). That puts it ahead of 79% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2012 Grand Cherokee does best (beats 88% of cars) and the 1999 worst (beats 58%).

Better than average on suspension, tyres, body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Decelerometer (sp)17.7×as often as a typical car
Rear fog light2.1×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

40%50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192086%84%81%78%72%65%61%60%60%
Jeep Grand CherokeeTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1998
Beats 60%
1999
Beats 58%
2000
Beats 64%
2001
Beats 73%
2002
Beats 73%
2003
Beats 78%
2004
Beats 64%
2005
Beats 81%
2006
Beats 83%
2007
Beats 78%
2008
Beats 75%
2009
Beats 75%
2010
Beats 72%
2011
Beats 81%
2012
Beats 88%
2013
Beats 85%
2014
Beats 86%
2015
Beats 84%
2016
Beats 77%
2017
Beats 80%
2018
Beats 80%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel2005–201879,24075.2%Beats 82%A
2.7 Diesel2002–200511,38157.3%Beats 69%B
4.0 Petrol1998–20015,11958.8%Beats 63%B
4.7 Petrol2000–20024,26361.7%Beats 75%B
5.7 Petrol2006–20061,27369.2%Beats 92%A
6.4 Petrol2017–20171,00390.8%Beats 98%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 6.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 12.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 12.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.8 ptsTyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.4 ptsBrakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.2 ptsSuspension: 6.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+5.2 ptsExhaust: 2.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.6 ptsSuspension: 6.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 12.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 12.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 15.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+2.8 ptsTyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.4 ptsBrakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−0.2 ptsSuspension: 6.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+5.2 ptsExhaust: 2.9% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 9.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 9.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
12.5% vs 15.3%
Brakes
9.7% vs 9.5%
Suspension
6.8% vs 12.0%
Visibility
4.7% vs 5.8%
Tyres
3.9% vs 7.3%
Body & structure
3.4% vs 5.0%
Emissions & leaks
2.9% vs 4.5%
Steering
2.8% vs 2.7%
Seat belts & airbags
1.5% vs 1.7%
Wheels
0.6% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Handbrake performance
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Headlight bulbs & units
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k90%85%81%76%68%63%61%58%
Jeep Grand CherokeeTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights2.9%3.7%0.8×
Headlight aim2.5%4.2%0.6×
Brake lights2.4%2.9%0.8×
Brake pads2.3%2.2%1.0×
Handbrake performance2.3%2.1%1.1×
Windscreen wipers2.3%2.6%0.9×
Windscreen washers2.0%2.6%0.8×
Headlight bulbs & units1.8%2.9%0.6×
Tyre tread depth1.8%3.1%0.6×
Number plate lights1.6%1.8%0.9×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn34.0
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements24.7
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement24.6
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen22.2
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm21.6
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning21.3
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning20.6
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen20.4
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine86.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel2,38886.2%Beats 80%A
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee2 engines85.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel4,81583.9%Beats 74%B
6.4 Petrol1,00390.8%Beats 98%A
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine82.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel7,49482.7%Beats 77%B
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine82.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel11,73882.4%Beats 84%A
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine79.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel12,74979.9%Beats 86%A
2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine77.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel8,68977.0%Beats 85%A
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine75.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel5,16375.5%Beats 88%A
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine71.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel2,30071.6%Beats 81%A
2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine65.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel1,46765.9%Beats 72%B
2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine64.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel1,63464.9%Beats 75%B
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine63.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel3,45263.3%Beats 75%B
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine63.3% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel4,02663.3%Beats 78%B
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee2 engines64.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel8,26763.3%Beats 81%A
5.7 Petrol1,27369.2%Beats 92%A
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee2 engines62.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel5,05864.0%Beats 84%A
2.7 Diesel1,67658.0%Beats 69%B
2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine55.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.7 Diesel4,40655.7%Beats 64%B
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine60.1% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.7 Diesel2,95760.1%Beats 78%B
2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee2 engines59.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.7 Diesel2,34256.4%Beats 68%B
4.7 Petrol1,53663.0%Beats 81%A
2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee2 engines60.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.7 Petrol1,55261.1%Beats 74%B
4.0 Petrol1,39160.7%Beats 73%B
2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee2 engines58.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol1,27856.6%Beats 59%C
4.7 Petrol1,17560.8%Beats 70%B
1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine58.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol1,23358.1%Beats 58%C
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee1 engine59.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol1,21759.7%Beats 60%C

FAQ

What is the Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT pass rate?

71.9% of MOT tests on the Jeep Grand Cherokee were passed first time, based on 102,279 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2018. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 65.1% of the time.

Is the Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?

On MOT results it rates B (good): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 79% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2012 Grand Cherokee does best for its age and mileage: it beats 88% of cars on UK roads. The 1999 does worst: it beats 58%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The most common failure items are sidelights, headlight aim, brake lights. Compared with similar cars, decelerometer (sp) comes up 17.7× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.