Used car guide

2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokees, from 410 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 410 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

410MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,900typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

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

  • Ball joint2.5× usual
    Jeep Grand Cherokee
    16.1% All 2005 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 3% 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.

  • Anti-roll bar bushes and joints5× usual
    Jeep Grand Cherokee
    8% All 2005 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Headlights: 6.1% here, against 14.2% of all 2005 cars. Tyre condition: 7.3% here, against 15.1% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Jeep Grand 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    31% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% 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
    17% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% 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%
2004170Suspension 55%
2003118Suspension 54%
2002174Suspension 56%
2001153Suspension 50%
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 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokees registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score