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Jeep Wrangler reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 40,626 MOT tests of cars first registered 1997–2021.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
70.3%pass first time
+0.9 ptsvs typical car
Beats 56%of cars
40,626MOT tests

Verdict

The Jeep Wrangler passes its MOT first time on 70.3% of tests, 0.9 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (69.4%). That puts it ahead of 56% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2021 Wrangler does best (beats 90% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 3%).

Better than average on suspension, body & structure, emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.4×as often as a typical car
Brakes1.3×as often as a typical car
Rear fog light4.8×as often as a typical car
Indicator side repeaters5.6×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.

50%60%70%80%90%100%3456789101112131415161718192088%84%74%68%63%64%63%65%66%
Jeep WranglerTypical 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.

1997
Beats 56%
1998
Beats 55%
1999
Beats 50%
2000
Beats 75%
2001
Beats 73%
2002
Beats 80%
2003
Beats 82%
2004
Beats 88%
2006
Beats 81%
2007
Beats 59%
2008
Beats 43%
2009
Beats 50%
2010
Beats 45%
2011
Beats 72%
2012
Beats 26%
2013
Beats 31%
2014
Beats 20%
2015
Beats 19%
2016
Beats 8%
2017
Beats 3%
2019
Beats 81%
2020
Beats 80%
2021
Beats 90%

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
2.8 Diesel2007–201720,52167.9%Beats 35%D
4.0 Petrol1997–200614,32965.7%Beats 69%B
2.0 Petrol2019–20215,77690.1%Beats 83%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: 2.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.0% 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: 6.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.7% 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: 17.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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: 1.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.8% 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: 10.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% 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: 17.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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−5.0 ptsTyres: 1.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.8% 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+4.0 ptsBrakes: 10.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% 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−2.6 ptsSuspension: 6.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.7% 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+3.4 ptsExhaust: 2.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.0% 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+1.2 ptsSuspension: 6.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.7% 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: 10.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% 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: 1.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.8% 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: 17.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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: 2.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.0% 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: 17.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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−5.0 ptsTyres: 1.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.8% 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+4.0 ptsBrakes: 10.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.9% 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−2.6 ptsSuspension: 6.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.7% 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+3.4 ptsExhaust: 2.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 4.0% 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+1.2 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 17.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.6% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Lights & electrics
17.6% vs 12.6%
Brakes
10.5% vs 7.9%
Suspension
6.3% vs 9.7%
Visibility
4.4% vs 5.5%
Body & structure
3.7% vs 4.7%
Emissions & leaks
2.7% vs 4.0%
Steering
2.0% vs 2.0%
Tyres
1.8% vs 5.8%
Seat belts & airbags
1.6% vs 1.6%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Indicator side repeaters 5.6× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Handbrake performance 1.7× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Windscreen wipers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Brake performance
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k88%80%70%66%60%59%
Jeep WranglerTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Headlight aim4.9%3.5%1.4×
Sidelights3.9%2.9%1.3×
Rear fog light3.6%0.7%4.8×
Brake lights3.2%2.6%1.3×
Indicator side repeaters3.0%0.5%5.6×
Handbrake performance2.7%1.6%1.7×
Windscreen wipers2.2%2.7%0.8×
Windscreen washers2.1%2.4%0.9×
Number plate lights2.1%1.2%1.7×
Brake pads1.9%1.6%1.2×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements48.8
A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning39.1
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning34.1
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning32.1
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn29.6
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning28.8
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement23.0
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen20.7
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.

2021 Jeep Wrangler1 engine91.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,57891.4%Beats 90%A
2020 Jeep Wrangler1 engine89.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,11789.8%Beats 80%A
2019 Jeep Wrangler1 engine89.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,08189.3%Beats 81%A
2017 Jeep Wrangler1 engine76.4% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Diesel1,02376.4%Beats 3%E
2016 Jeep Wrangler1 engine74.7% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Diesel1,32874.7%Beats 8%E
2015 Jeep Wrangler1 engine75.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Diesel3,92675.2%Beats 19%E
2014 Jeep Wrangler1 engine71.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Diesel2,74871.8%Beats 20%D
2013 Jeep Wrangler1 engine69.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Diesel1,87869.5%Beats 31%D
2012 Jeep Wrangler1 engine65.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Diesel1,24265.5%Beats 26%D
2011 Jeep Wrangler1 engine71.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Diesel1,06171.8%Beats 72%B
2010 Jeep Wrangler1 engine62.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Diesel1,36762.0%Beats 45%C
2009 Jeep Wrangler1 engine59.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Diesel2,63159.7%Beats 50%C
2008 Jeep Wrangler1 engine56.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Diesel1,53056.3%Beats 43%C
2007 Jeep Wrangler1 engine59.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.8 Diesel1,78759.9%Beats 59%C
2006 Jeep Wrangler1 engine70.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol1,14570.9%Beats 81%A
2004 Jeep Wrangler1 engine70.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol1,36370.3%Beats 88%A
2003 Jeep Wrangler1 engine68.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol1,36968.2%Beats 82%A
2002 Jeep Wrangler1 engine67.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol1,23067.4%Beats 80%A
2001 Jeep Wrangler1 engine65.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol1,65465.4%Beats 73%B
2000 Jeep Wrangler1 engine67.2% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol1,22167.2%Beats 75%B
1999 Jeep Wrangler1 engine61.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol1,64861.0%Beats 50%C
1998 Jeep Wrangler1 engine62.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol2,30262.8%Beats 55%C
1997 Jeep Wrangler1 engine63.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.0 Petrol2,39763.8%Beats 56%C

FAQ

What is the Jeep Wrangler MOT pass rate?

70.3% of MOT tests on the Jeep Wrangler were passed first time, based on 40,626 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1997–2021. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 69.4% of the time.

Is the Jeep Wrangler reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 56% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Jeep Wrangler year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2021 Wrangler does best for its age and mileage: it beats 90% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Jeep Wrangler?

The most common failure items are headlight aim, sidelights, rear fog light. Compared with similar cars, rear fog light comes up 4.8× 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.