Used car guide

2021 Jeep Wrangler: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Jeep Wranglers, from 619 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

619MOT tests in 2025
90%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
7,200typical miles a year
4.6×the usual rate for shock absorbers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Jeep Wranglers than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Shock absorbers4.6× usual
    Jeep Wrangler
    7.8% All 2021 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Better than most

Tread depth: 6.3% here, against 15% of all 2021 cars.

By area

The share of 2021 Jeep Wrangler MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    9% 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.

  • Suspension
    9% 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
    8% 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
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    1% 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.

Looking at a Jeep Wrangler?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2020691Tyres 13%
2019639Brakes 15%
2015564Brakes 28%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Jeep Wranglers registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score