1998 Jeep Cherokee · 1,334 MOT tests
1998 Jeep Cherokee reliability
1998 Jeep Cherokees fail 33.7% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 15 Cherokee years (1,334 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Jeep Cherokees: 33.1%)
- 33.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Jeep Cherokees: 33.1%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 121,733
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,334
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: about average for its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 4.1% of tests fail here (10% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 44% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Jeep Cherokee
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17.2%
- Brakes13.4%
- Suspension11%
- Body, chassis and structure8.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.9%
- Seat belts and airbags4.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp aim set too low 3.15%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.77%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Position lamp not working 2.32%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Service brakes uneven across an axle 2.32%
One wheel is braking much less than its pair, so the car may pull to one side and stop poorly.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.25%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 2.17%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (19.79%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (12.89%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (7.42%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (5.77%) · Anti-roll bar linkage pin/bush worn (5.17%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (5.02%)
Other years
Every Jeep Cherokee year
The full picture: Jeep Cherokee reliability. Before you pay for any Jeep Cherokee, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1998 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
1998 Jeep Cherokees fail 33.7% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 15 Cherokee years (1,334 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Jeep Cherokee MOT?
Most often headlamp aim set too low (3.15% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (2.77% of tests), position lamp not working (2.32% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Jeep Cherokee have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Jeep Cherokee shows 121,733 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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