Jeep Cherokee Sport (1998)
1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport
CarHunch analysed 305 real MOT records for the 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport is considerably less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 65.7% against the national benchmark of 80%. One in five of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect flagged during testing, which is a genuine concern for any prospective buyer.
These Cherokees are running at typical mileage for their age (median 92,271 miles), but they're accumulating problems: owners face an average of 2.75 failures and 13.3 minor advisories per test, suggesting persistent wear and maintenance issues. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with Cherokee XJs, as the high failure rate indicates many are being kept on the road in compromised condition.
What to check before buying a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 21% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Jeep Cherokee Sport
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (95%) | 291 | 65.7% | 2.71 |
| Diesel (3%) | 9 | 63.8% | 2.89 |
| LPG (2%) | 5 | 69.7% | 5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport vehicles fall between 75,179 and 109,689 miles.
1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 10 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (13% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Jeep Cherokee Sport?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.