Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 5,009 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
What usually goes wrong with a Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee?
We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.
Common Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Diesel
Anti-roll bar bushes and joints
up to 10.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2007.
Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) CheckatradeAt the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.
Ball joint
up to 2.5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2007.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Anti-roll bar link joints
up to 2.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2006 and 2007.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Flexible brake hoses
up to 2.5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007.
Rough price £50–£200 our estimateAt the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
Steering rack inner joints
up to 2.5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2007.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Engine oil leaks
up to 2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2006.
Rough price £80–£600 our estimateAt the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.
Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 69% | 64% +5 | 151 (small sample) |
| 2011 | 67% | 62% +5 | 127 (small sample) |
| 2010 | 67% | 60% +7 | 417 (small sample) |
| 2009 | 65% | 59% +6 | 348 (small sample) |
| 2008 | 59% | 57% +2 | 466 (small sample) |
| 2007 | 64% | 57% +7 | 733 |
| 2006 | 63% | 56% +7 | 931 |
| 2005 | 65% | 57% +8 | 454 (small sample) |
| 2004 | 61% | 57% +4 | 367 (small sample) |
| 2003 | 65% | 57% +8 | 332 (small sample) |
| 2002 | 70% | 58% +12 | 202 (small sample) |
| 2001 | 68% | 60% +8 | 189 (small sample) |
| 2000 | 69% | 61% +8 | 141 (small sample) |
| 1999 | 65% | 63% +2 | 151 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 8.7× as often on the Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the transmission oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Chrysler-Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score