1998 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 707 MOT tests analysed for the 1998 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 73.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.0%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 98 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.3% | 94 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.2% | 72 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.9% | 56 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.8% | 34 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 82 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 57 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 39 |
| 4 | Wipers | 36 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 35 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 27 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.6% | 280 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.3% | 264 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 28.3% | 200 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.4% | 137 |
| 5 | Tyres | 14.1% | 100 |
| 6 | Steering | 13.4% | 95 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 63 | 27.0% |
| 90-120k | 230 | 21.3% |
| 120-150k | 229 | 31.4% |
| 150k+ | 145 | 29.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 503 | 26.6% |
| Diesel | 204 | 26.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 191 | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 154 | 25.3% |
| 2023 | 128 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 122 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 112 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Cherokee
Before buying a 1998 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (10.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 707 1998 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.9% of tests, followed by brakes (13.3%).
Does the 1998 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.0% in the 60-90k band to 29.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 707 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.