2015 Jeep Renegade diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2015 Jeep Renegade diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2015 Jeep Renegade diesel than on all cars registered in 2015.

• Track rod ends5× usual
  Jeep Renegade

  14.6% All 2015 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 1.4% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Brake discs1.7× usual
  Jeep Renegade

  21.3% All 2015 cars

  12.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.9% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
  Jeep Renegade

  12% All 2015 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 1.2% of all 2015 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.

• Engine warning light4.8× usual
  Jeep Renegade

  7.2% All 2015 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 1.5% of all 2015 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.

• Sidelights4.2× usual
  Jeep Renegade

  7.1% All 2015 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 1.5% of all 2015 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 2015 Jeep Renegade diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2015 Jeep Renegade diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  34% 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.

• Tyres
  32% 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.

• Brakes
  26% 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
  17% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  4% 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.

Known faults on the 2015 Jeep Renegade diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Diesel particulate filter clogging and diesel in the oil

  Diesel

  The Fiat-shared engines have had many reported problems. Diesel particulate filters clog, and fuel can raise the oil level, which can damage the engine.

  At the viewing: Check the oil isn't above max, ask what journeys it does, and watch for warnings.

  Source: What Car?: used Jeep Renegade (2015 on) reliability

• Recalls: airbags, engine mount, gearbox wiring

  Some cars

  Recalls covered side airbags that might not deploy (built Oct to Nov 2016), restraint software (built July 2017 to June 2019), a right-hand engine mount (built Oct to Dec 2018) and a wiring fault that could put the automatic into neutral.

  At the viewing: Ask a Jeep dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: What Car?: used Jeep Renegade (2015 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2015 Jeep Renegade diesel

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

1. Has the DPF or engine had any work?
2. Have all the recalls been done?
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the 2015 Jeep Renegade diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2015 Jeep Renegade diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2015 Jeep Renegade diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?