2007 Jeep Patriot: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Jeep Patriot?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Jeep Patriot than on all cars registered in 2007.

• Ball joint3.5× usual
  Jeep Patriot

  21.8% All 2007 cars

  6.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 15%, against 3.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
  Jeep Patriot

  25.8% All 2007 cars

  10.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.3%, against 2.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Sub-frame2.9× usual
  Jeep Patriot

  16.6% All 2007 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.4% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Shock absorbers2.3× usual
  Jeep Patriot

  17.4% All 2007 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2.1% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Common 2007 Jeep Patriot MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2007 Jeep Patriot MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  69% 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
  38% 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.

• Tyres
  36% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  35% 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
  15% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  14% 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 2007 Jeep Patriot

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

1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2007 Jeep Patriot as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2007 Jeep Patriot as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2007 Jeep Patriot as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?