2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee petrol than on all cars registered in 2001.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
  Jeep Grand Cherokee

  16% All 2001 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 2.8% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes3.7× usual
  Jeep Grand Cherokee

  10.6% All 2001 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.6% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At 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.

• Transmission oil leaks4.3× usual
  Jeep Grand Cherokee

  8.2% All 2001 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  36% 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
  21% 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.

• Tyres
  19% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  19% 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 2001 Jeep Grand 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the transmission oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 4.3× as often on the 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?