Jeep Cherokee Sport (2003)
2003 Jeep Cherokee Sport
CarHunch analysed 126 real MOT records for the 2003 Jeep Cherokee Sport. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Jeep Cherokee Sport has a 74.3% first-time pass rate, trailing the UK average of 80%, and nearly three in ten of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects—a significant reliability concern for a 20-year-old SUV. These petrol models fail their MOT at broadly similar rates across the board, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here.
At 66,800 miles median, these Cherokees show modest mileage for their age, yet they're averaging 4 failures per test and a high 16.7 advisories, pointing to cumulative wear in suspension, exhaust and sealing systems rather than catastrophic breakdowns. Before buying one, budget for imminent repairs and insist on a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension geometry and rust—this isn't a "run it into the ground" car, it's a project that demands upkeep.
What to check before buying a 2003 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.
- ⚠️ 28.6% 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 (92%) | 116 | 73.8% | 4.1 |
| Diesel (7%) | 9 | 77.1% | 3.67 |
| Other (1%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 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 2003 Jeep Cherokee Sport vehicles fall between 55,350 and 77,984 miles.
2003 Jeep Cherokee Sport — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 16 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (22% 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.