Used car guide

2005 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees, from 224 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 224 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

224MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,400typical miles a year
3×the usual rate for ball joint dust cover

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Ball joint dust cover3× usual
    Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee
    14.3% All 2005 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 1.8% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2005 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokee MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    43% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    30% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    26% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    16% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007175Suspension 51%
2006208Brakes 48%
2004249Suspension 56%
2003165Suspension 56%
2002110Suspension 64%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Chrysler-Jeep Cherokees registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score