2006 Jeep Cherokee petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Jeep Cherokee petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Jeep Cherokee petrol than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Flexible brake hoses2.5× usual
  Jeep Cherokee

  13.2% All 2006 cars

  5.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

• Engine warning light3.5× usual
  Jeep Cherokee

  9.4% All 2006 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 2.7% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2006 Jeep Cherokee petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Jeep Cherokee petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  44% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  37% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  33% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  20% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  16% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  11% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Jeep Cherokee petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2006 Jeep Cherokee petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2006 Jeep Cherokee petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?