Used car guide

2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokees, from 153 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 153 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

153MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
4,500typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokees than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Headlights2.3× usual
    Jeep Grand Cherokee
    20.9% All 2001 cars
    9.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3.5% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

By area

The share of 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    45% 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
    39% 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
    22% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    18% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019259Brakes 18%
2018410Brakes 21%
2017845Brakes 23%
20161,033Brakes 25%
20151,356Brakes 26%
20141,412Brakes 27%
2013953Tyres 24%
2012502Brakes 25%
2011199Suspension 31%
2008171Suspension 53%
2007180Suspension 54%
2006472Suspension 49%
2005410Suspension 53%
2004170Suspension 55%
2003118Suspension 54%
2002174Suspension 56%
2000112Brakes 47%
1999107Brakes 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokees registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score