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Jeep Wrangler reliability by build year

Coverage 2007-present2 named generationsSUVPETROL / DIESEL

We've only got 405 MOT tests for Jeep Wranglers built around 2018 (7 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Jeep Wrangler built around 2018: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Jeep Wranglers built around 2018 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Jeep Wrangler by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Jeep Wrangler's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Wrangler's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Wrangler JL

JL (2018-present)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

19.3% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Likely between 15.7% and 23.4%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 405 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Wrangler JK

JK (2007-2017)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

22.3% fail rate, built around 2017 (8 years old)

Likely between 16.5% and 29.4%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 18.7%)

From 157 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL

29.1% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 1,286 MOT tests at this ageNo separate page

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Jeep Wrangler.

See every build year for the Jeep Wrangler

Side-by-side

Jeep Wrangler generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
JL (2018-present)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate19.3%likely between 15.7% and 23.4%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 405 MOT tests at this age
JK (2007-2017)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate22.3%likely between 16.5% and 29.4%built around 2017 (8 years old)from 157 MOT tests at this age
Older models (before 2005)
No rating
No rating29.1%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 1,286 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Wrangler, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Jeep Wrangler fail rate by age

This chart combines every Jeep Wrangler ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
5219.2%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
7599.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
73710.0%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
62514.2%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
40519.3%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
35020.6%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
53822.7%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
59023.9%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
42023.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
27023.0%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
15426.6%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
16731.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
18229.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
15030.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
19829.8%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
19325.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
17124.0%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
11722.2%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
18324.6%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
19626.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
17030.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
21525.6%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,28629.1%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 14 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Jeep Wranglers

These issues come from 7-year-old Jeep Wranglers, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    14.1%
    Advisory: 89Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.9%
    Advisory: 41Fail: 7 (15% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    9.4%
    Advisory: 40Fail: 1 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.2%
    Advisory: 63Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    5.4%
    Advisory: 30Fail: 2 (6% of the times it was found)

Based on 405 MOT tests on 7-year-old Jeep Wranglers, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Jeep Wranglers notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Brakes + Tyres23%
  2. Brakes + Other19%
  3. Other + Tyres13%
  4. Brakes + Lighting12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 120 MOT tests on Jeep Wrangler cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Jeep Wrangler.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

38 recalls in all

26 of the 38 Jeep Wrangler recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 7 Critical
  • 19 more

Top concerns

  • Passenger airbag inflator
  • 2020-2025 Jeep Wrangler and 2022-2026 Jeep grand cherokee PHEV vehicles. High voltage battery.
  • Airbag and/or pretensioner may fail to deploy in a collision

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 19.3% for the Jeep Wrangler, both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Lower fail rate: 8.7%, against 19.3% for the Jeep Wrangler, both built around 2018.

    4,936 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 19.3% for the Jeep Wrangler, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 19.3% for the Jeep Wrangler, both built around 2018.

    4,706 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Jeep Wrangler across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 405 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Jeep Wrangler ever sold: 8,597 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 405 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.