Used buying checklist
Jeep Cherokee reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Jeep Cherokee looks about average for reliability in UK MOT data: 17.3% of 7,042 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 17.3% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 65,345 miles
- 1,219 failed MOT tests analysed
Suspension and steering is the clearest area to check
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (5.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint excessively worn, ball joint has excessive play, and ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint has excessive play
- ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- leaking excessively from engine
- emissions exceed default limit of 0.7m-1
- on a vehicle fitted with a diesel particulate filter emits visible smoke of any colour
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
Focus on suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
The model's recorded failure rate is 17.3%, -1.4 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed7,042 tests
- Median tested mileage65,345 miles
- Failed MOT tests1,219
Should you buy a used Jeep Cherokee?
82.7% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 17.3%, -1.4 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors
- suspension and steering appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "ball joint excessively worn"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Start with suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (5.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Jeep Cherokee, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
The MOT failure rate rises from 26.7% at 0-3 years to 27.4% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and corrosion and structure. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (4.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Jeep Cherokee, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (5.7 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Jeep Cherokee mainly involve 6 areas: brakes, lights and electrical, mixed recall notices, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Jeep Cherokee, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and tyres and wheels.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 1,864 | 1,599 | 11.9%+1.1 percentage points vs all models | 39,425 miles |
| 50-100k | 4,207 | 3,381 | 18.0%-2.7 percentage points vs all models | 69,785 miles |
| 100-150k | 811 | 611 | 25.3%-0.9 percentage points vs all models | 114,030 miles |
| 150-200k | 94 | 69 | 28.7%+1.4 percentage points vs all models | 163,752 miles |
| 200k+ | 13 | 9 | 38.5%+11.9 percentage points vs all models | 235,075 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Jeep Cherokee, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, suspension and steering, and emissions, engine, and exhaust.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 26.7% at 0-3 years to 27.4% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 27.4% for 15+ years cars, based on 361 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
15 | 12 | 26.7%+18.2 percentage points vs all models | 2.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
754 | 657 | 12.6%+2.0 percentage points vs all models | 5.4 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
5,856 | 4,670 | 17.2%+0.6 percentage points vs all models | 8.0 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
56 | 42 | 23.2%-0.3 percentage points vs all models | 13.5 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
361 | 266 | 27.4%+1.5 percentage points vs all models | 19.5 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2024-06-14 | Jeep Cherokee 2014-2014 Power liftgate module On affected vehicles the power liftgate control module may experience a short circuit. An electrical short in the power liftgate module may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off. Relocate the power liftgate module to the D Pillar and install water barrier/curtain |
|---|---|
| 2024-06-04 | Reverse lamp height On certain vehicles built with a specific suspension package the reverse lamps may be above the UN ECE 48.04 height requirement. Install the reverse lamp in accordance with the UN ECE 48.04 height requirement. |
| 2023-08-04 | The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) may allow relative movement between the input splines and the transmission output shaft On affected vehicles relative movement between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft in the area of the power transfer unit�wear of the input splines�cannot�be�ruled�out.� Reprogram of the Drive Train Control Module and Electric Park Brake. |
| 2021-02-19 | A POSSIBLE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER OR PARK FUNCTION DUE TO WEAR IN THE POWER TRANSFER UNIT A possible loss of motive power or PARK function due to wear in the Power Transfer Unit. Reprogram the Drive Train Control Module and Electric Park Brake. |
| 2018-08-24 | VEHICLE SHORT CAUSING CAN-C BUS TO STOP COMMUNICATING A short in the vehicle causing the CAN-C bus to stop communicating while the cruise control is active and the vehicle speed is below the set speed such that the cruise control system is requesting positive torque at the exact moment of the short it is possible for a positive torque request to be locked on the PCM. This may result in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating. Inspect the software level of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and if necessary reprogram the PCM |
| 2018-08-24 | REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION The rear lower control arms may experience excessive corrosion eventually resulting in a fracture A fractured rear control arm could cause reduced vehicle control and can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning Replace both rear lower control arms |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Jeep Cherokee. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Jeep reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.