2021 Jeep Wrangler petrol: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the petrol Jeep Wrangler first registered in 2021 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 1,131 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Jeep Wrangler petrol?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler petrol than on all cars registered in 2021.
- Shock absorbers5.4× usualJeep Wrangler7.6% All 2021 cars1.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.
Tread depth: 5.3% here, against 14.7% of all 2021 cars.
Common 2021 Jeep Wrangler petrol MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2021 Jeep Wrangler petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension9% 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.
- Tyres8% 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.
- Brakes6% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors5% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Lights and electrics4% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Steering2% of testsRough price £100–£450
At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Jeep Wrangler petrol
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the 2021 Jeep Wrangler petrol as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Jeep Wrangler?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Jeep Wrangler compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most 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 |
| 2022 | 379 | Suspension 16% |
| 2020 | 2,028 | Tyres 10% |
| 2019 | 1,886 | Brakes 11% |
| 2018 | 1,142 | Brakes 17% |
| 2017 | 820 | Brakes 22% |
| 2016 | 901 | Brakes 24% |
| 2015 | 1,610 | Brakes 25% |
| 2014 | 1,076 | Brakes 28% |
| 2013 | 681 | Brakes 29% |
| 2012 | 438 | Brakes 29% |
| 2011 | 272 | Brakes 31% |
| 2010 | 331 | Brakes 32% |
| 2009 | 608 | Lights and electrics 34% |
| 2008 | 389 | Lights and electrics 38% |
| 2007 | 456 | Lights and electrics 36% |
| 2006 | 308 | Suspension 34% |
| 2005 | 222 | Suspension 27% |
| 2004 | 332 | Suspension 36% |
| 2003 | 421 | Suspension 38% |
| 2002 | 348 | Suspension 41% |
| 2001 | 506 | Brakes 34% |
| 2000 | 430 | Suspension 39% |
| 1999 | 435 | Suspension 43% |
| 1998 | 718 | Suspension 40% |
| 1997 | 729 | Suspension 38% |
| 1996 | – | Too few tests |
| 1995 | 134 | Lights and electrics 33% |
| 1994 | 213 | Lights and electrics 32% |
| 1993 | 184 | Brakes 34% |
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 Wrangler cars first registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score