Jeep Cherokee years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year
No Jeep Cherokee year is clearly below or above the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Every difference is within the margin of error.
- Below the average for their first-use yearNone
- Above the average for their first-use yearNone
- Can't be told apart from average2014–2016
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 71.9% to 74.5%.
In 2025, 73.2% of the 4,513 initial MOT tests on Jeep Cherokee cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 72.0%. That is about average: the difference from the same-age average is within the margin of error.
Check a specific Cherokee
Jeep Cherokee MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016age 9 | 1,40873,400 | 76.1%±2.3 | +1.2 ptsall: 74.9% | |
| 2015age 10 | 1,95383,100 | 73.4%±2.1 | +1.5 ptsall: 71.9% | |
| 2014age 11 | 1,15287,500 | 69.4%±2.8 | +0.8 ptsall: 68.6% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upDoes mileage matter?
73.1% of Jeep Cherokee tests at 60,000 to 89,999 miles passed first time, against 69.8% at 90,000 to 119,999 miles. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 70.6% and 66.9%.
| Miles at the test | Tests | Passed first time | Against all vehicles, same age and mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60,000–89,999 | 1,899 | 73.1%±2.1 | +2.6 ptsall: 70.6% |
| 90,000–119,999 | 1,262 | 69.8%±2.6 | +2.9 ptsall: 66.9% |
Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Cherokee tests were above average in every band shown.
Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Jeep Cherokee tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.
Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: under 30,000, 30,000–59,999 and 120,000 or more. 3 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count
Common Cherokee problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.
Most common MOT failures on the Jeep Cherokee
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pin or bush excessively wornSuspension | 22.6%274 tests | 4.8% |
| Headlamp not working on dipped beamLights and electrics | 16.5%200 tests | 5.0% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks | 16.2%196 tests | 5.7% |
| Headlamp not working on main beamLights and electrics | 10.2%123 tests | 0.8% |
| Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres | 8.3%100 tests | 8.5% |
| Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes | 7.9%96 tests | 7.1% |
| Tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperativeTyres | 7.0%85 tests | 4.7% |
| Tyre has ply or cords exposedTyres | 6.4%78 tests | 4.6% |
| Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres | 4.8%58 tests | 4.6% |
| Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors | 4.4%53 tests | 5.7% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Cherokee's failed tests in each year. How we count
What to check when viewing a Cherokee
Suspension
- Push down hard on each corner. Check the car rises once and settles, not bouncing again and again.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- Check the car sits level when parked on flat ground.
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.
Tyres
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.
Noise, emissions, leaks
- Ask to see the car start from cold. Heavy smoke from the exhaust is worth asking about.
- Listen for blowing or rattling from the exhaust with the engine running.
- Look under the car for drips of oil, coolant or other fluids.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a Cherokee's MOT historyJeep Cherokee questions
Which Jeep Cherokee years have lower MOT pass rates?
No model year is clearly below or above all vehicles first used in the same year. The differences are within the margin of error.
Is the Jeep Cherokee reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 73.2% of initial MOT tests on Jeep Cherokee cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 72.0%. That is about average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common Jeep Cherokee problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are suspension (in 36.7% of failed tests), lights and electrics (in 32.6% of failed tests) and tyres (in 26.0% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Jeep Cherokee?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Jeep Cherokee cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 83,100 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific Cherokee's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Jeep Cherokee
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Jeep models
- Jeep Renegade−5.3 pts against the same-age average
- Jeep Compass−4.9 pts against the same-age average
- Jeep Grand Cherokee+6.1 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
Cars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Jeep Cherokee cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count