Used car guide

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Jeep Grand Cherokee first registered in 1997: we looked at the 119 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 119 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

119MOTs of 1997 cars, done in 2023–2025
64%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 65%)
4,400typical miles a year
44%had suspension flagged

Common 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Brakes
    33% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% 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
    18% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    17% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Jeep Grand Cherokee?

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Other years

Every year of the Jeep Grand Cherokee compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023–Too new for MOT data
2020197Brakes 20%
2019772Brakes 18%
20181,196Brakes 22%
20172,561Brakes 23%
20163,072Brakes 25%
20154,137Brakes 27%
20144,331Brakes 27%
20132,951Brakes 25%
20121,527Brakes 24%
2011619Suspension 26%
2009141Suspension 47%
2008588Suspension 47%
2007634Suspension 50%
20061,755Suspension 46%
20051,454Suspension 51%
2004740Suspension 55%
2003446Suspension 59%
2002660Suspension 52%
2001544Suspension 45%
2000402Suspension 46%
1999325Suspension 50%
1998188Brakes 38%
1996–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Jeep Grand Cherokee cars first registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score