2017 Jeep Renegade: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Jeep Renegade?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Jeep Renegade than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Track rod ends9.2× usual
  Jeep Renegade

  12.9% All 2017 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 0.6% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Anti-roll bar link joints5.3× usual
  Jeep Renegade

  3.7% All 2017 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.2% of all 2017 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.

• Sidelights3.3× usual
  Jeep Renegade

  2.6% All 2017 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Engine warning light2.5× usual
  Jeep Renegade

  2.8% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.1% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Tyre pressure monitoring system3.3× usual
  Jeep Renegade

  2% All 2017 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.6% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2017 Jeep Renegade MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Jeep Renegade MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% 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.

• Brakes
  21% 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.

• Suspension
  21% 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
  9% 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
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2017 Jeep Renegade

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Diesel particulate filter clogging and diesel in the oil

  Diesel

  The Fiat-shared engines have had many reported problems. Diesel particulate filters clog, and fuel can raise the oil level, which can damage the engine.

  At the viewing: Check the oil isn't above max, ask what journeys it does, and watch for warnings.

  Source: What Car?: used Jeep Renegade (2015 on) reliability

• Recalls: airbags, engine mount, gearbox wiring

  Some cars

  Recalls covered side airbags that might not deploy (built Oct to Nov 2016), restraint software (built July 2017 to June 2019), a right-hand engine mount (built Oct to Dec 2018) and a wiring fault that could put the automatic into neutral.

  At the viewing: Ask a Jeep dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: What Car?: used Jeep Renegade (2015 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Jeep Renegade

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the DPF or engine had any work?
2. Have all the recalls been done?
3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 9.2× as often on the 2017 Jeep Renegade as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the 2017 Jeep Renegade as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2017 Jeep Renegade as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?