1999 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 687 MOT tests analysed for the 1999 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 72.8% was below the average for cars of a similar age (75.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.2% in the 150k+ group versus 13.3% in the 60-90k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 102 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.3% | 98 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 76 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 70 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 29 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.1% | 28 |
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 | 59 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 51 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 41 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 39 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 33 |
| 6 | Joints | 31 |
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 | 34.6% | 238 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.7% | 218 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.1% | 179 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.1% | 138 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 105 |
| 6 | Tyres | 14.3% | 98 |
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 | 128 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 220 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 200 | 35.0% |
| 150k+ | 109 | 31.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 498 | 26.9% |
| Diesel | 187 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 180 | 30.6% |
| 2022 | 152 | 29.6% |
| 2023 | 130 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 117 | 25.6% |
| 2025 | 108 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Cherokee
Before buying a 1999 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.3% 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 (11.1% 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 1999 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 687 1999 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by brakes (14.3%).
Does the 1999 Cherokee get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.3% in the 60-90k band to 31.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 687 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.