Used buying checklist
Jeep Grand Cherokee reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Jeep Grand Cherokee looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 13.1% of 7,415 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical, 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.
- 13.1% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 65,593 miles
- 969 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 (6.9 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated, ball joint has excessive play, and ball joint excessively worn.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ball joint has excessive play
- ball joint excessively worn
- ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- provides insufficient washer liquid
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
- with a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- lens defective such that the emitted light is adversely affected
Focus on suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 13.1%, -5.6 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 analysed7,415 tests
- Median tested mileage65,593 miles
- Failed MOT tests969
Should you buy a used Jeep Grand Cherokee?
86.9% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 13.1%, -5.6 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, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical
- 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 dust cover severely deteriorated"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical.
Start with suspension and steering, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Suspension and steering is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (6.9 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 Grand Cherokee, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and corrosion and structure.
The MOT failure rate rises from 9.1% at 0-3 years to 25.2% 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, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, lights and electrical, 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, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, lights and electrical, 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 (6.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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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 (5.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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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 (5.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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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 (3.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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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 (2.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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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 (1.7 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 Grand Cherokee, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and corrosion and structure.
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 (6.9 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 Grand Cherokee mainly involve 6 areas: brakes, lights and electrical, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and seatbelts and safety systems. 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 Grand Cherokee, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and corrosion and structure. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 2,124 | 1,906 | 7.5%-3.3 percentage points vs all models | 37,441 miles |
| 50-100k | 4,209 | 3,527 | 14.1%-6.7 percentage points vs all models | 70,982 miles |
| 100-150k | 932 | 730 | 20.0%-6.2 percentage points vs all models | 113,531 miles |
| 150-200k | 112 | 84 | 27.7%+0.4 percentage points vs all models | 162,758 miles |
| 200k+ | 8 | 8 | 0.0%-26.6 percentage points vs all models | 223,811 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, lights and electrical, and corrosion and structure.
| 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 9.1% at 0-3 years to 25.2% 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 25.2% for 15+ years cars, based on 214 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
55 | 51 | 9.1%+0.6 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
1,330 | 1,178 | 7.7%-2.8 percentage points vs all models | 5.2 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
5,494 | 4,582 | 13.8%-2.8 percentage points vs all models | 8.1 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
322 | 272 | 14.9%-8.6 percentage points vs all models | 10.2 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
214 | 162 | 25.2%-0.7 percentage points vs all models | 18.6 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.
| 2026-02-16 | 2020-2025 Jeep Wrangler and 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEV vehicles. High voltage battery. On affected vehicles the High Voltage (HV) battery may have been built with a battery pack which contains cells which are susceptible to separator damage which combined with other complex interactions within the cells may lead to a vehicle fire. Reprogram the battery pack control module with modified software and check and if necessary replace the HV Battery. |
|---|---|
| 2025-11-19 | 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0L diesel. Loss of crankshaft reference position. Software update. On affected vehicles there is a risk of the loss of crankshaft reference position that can result in an engine stall as well as loss of the ability to restart the engine. A loss of motive power can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning. Install modified software to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). |
| 2025-09-25 | Jeep Grand Cherokee 2023-2024. 2nd row head restraints. Vehicle reliability and your safety are a major concern for Jeep. The 2nd row head restraints on some 2023-2024 Grand Cherokee vehicles may contain an internal locking mechanism which can prevent the headrest from locking upright. A head restraint that does not lock may increase the risk of injury to seat occupants in certain types of crashes. The free of charge permanent repair is the Jeep dealer will inspect and if necessary replace each head restraint. |
| 2024-09-13 | 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering column control module (SCCM) internal failure Affected vehicles may have a Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) that may have been built with an insufficient weld between an internal flexible flat cable (FFC) and busbar. This may prevent deployment of the driver airbag resulting in increased risk of injury to the driver in a crash Inspect and if necessary replace the Steering Column Control Module. |
| 2024-06-28 | Front upper control arm to steering knuckle pinch bolts On affected vehicles the Upper Control Arm (UCA) pinch bolts may have been damaged during vehicle assembly. A damaged pinch bolt may break and result in the loss of clamp load between the UCA ball joint and the knuckle. Replacement of the Upper Control Arm (UCA) pinch bolts. |
| 2024-06-28 | High pressure fuel pump On affected vehicles the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) may fail prematurely. Replacement of the high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) and inspection. If required replacement of additional fuel system components. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Jeep Grand 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.