Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd Auto (1998)

862 real MOT outcomes analysed • 64.2% first-time pass rate

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd Auto

CarHunch analysed 862 real MOT records for the 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd Auto. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 1998 Grand Cherokee fails its MOT first time in over a third of cases—a concerning 64.2% pass rate against the UK average of 80%—and more than one in five have recorded dangerous defects, a serious red flag for buyers. The petrol models show no better prospects at 63.7%, suggesting the problem runs across the range rather than being fuel-specific.

At around 100,500 miles these vehicles are showing their age hard: the average Grand Cherokee racks up 2.85 failures and a hefty 14.1 advisories per test, indicating chronic wear across multiple systems rather than isolated issues. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with these models, paying particular attention to suspension, brakes, and rust—this is not a casual purchase.

Below average reliability 15.8% below UK average
64.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
100,508
typical mileage
84,118–121,761 middle half
21.6%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.85
avg MOT failures per car
over 8.9 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd Auto

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.
  • ⚠️ 21.6% 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 Grand Cherokee Ltd Auto

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (92%) 793 63.7% 2.84
LPG (6%) 49 67.9% 3.2
Diesel (2%) 16 76% 3.25
Other (0%) 3 95.8% 0.33
Gas (0%) 1 0% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd Auto 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.

84,118
low mileage
100,508
typical
121,761
high mileage

Half of all 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd Auto vehicles fall between 84,118 and 121,761 miles.

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd Auto — Still on the Road

Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (5% of peak).

225 12 2014 2025

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

8.9
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.85
Avg failures per vehicle
14.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd Auto?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Jeep Grand Cherokee Ltd Auto:

1996 1997 1999 2003