1998 Jeep Wrangler · 1,348 MOT tests
1998 Jeep Wrangler reliability
1998 Jeep Wranglers fail 33.7% of first MOT tests, 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 9 Wrangler years (1,348 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Jeep Wranglers: 26%)
- 33.7%
- first-time fail rate (all Jeep Wranglers: 26%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 5% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- 87,115
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 25
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,348
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1998 against the years either side
- 1997 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1998 car does better)
- 1999 cars: about average for its age (the 1998 car does better)
- Weak spot: lights and electrics, 21.2% of tests fail here (38% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 74% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1998 Jeep Wrangler
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21.2%
- Brakes12.5%
- Suspension8.8%
- Body, chassis and structure5.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.6%
- Seat belts and airbags3.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 3.78%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 3.41%
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 3.34%
One wheel is braking much less than its pair, so the car may pull to one side and stop poorly.
Rear fog lamp not working 2.15%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Headlamp aim set too high 1.93%
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.93%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (9.64%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (6.23%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (5.64%) · Anti-roll bar linkage pin/bush worn (5.56%) · Exhaust has minor gas leak (4.53%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (4.08%)
Other years
Every Jeep Wrangler year
The full picture: Jeep Wrangler reliability. Before you pay for any Jeep Wrangler, 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 Wrangler reliable?
1998 Jeep Wranglers fail 33.7% of first MOT tests, 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 4 of 9 Wrangler years (1,348 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1998 Jeep Wrangler MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (3.78% of tests), position lamp not working (3.41% of tests), service brakes uneven across an axle (3.34% of tests).
How many miles should a 1998 Jeep Wrangler have done?
At its MOT aged about 25, a typical 1998 Jeep Wrangler shows 87,115 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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