At a Glance
The Jeep Wrangler has 24 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the TJ (1996-2006) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 95K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Jeep Wrangler common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Jeep Wrangler generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Jeep Wrangler Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
YJ
Top issue: Steering damper fault
TJ
Top issue: Suspension linkage pins, bushes or ball joints worn
JK
Top issue: Indicator fault
JL
Most common MOT failure: Wiper blades deteriorated
Most Common Jeep Wrangler MOT Failures
Every reason Jeep Wrangler vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake performance below minimum | 7.21% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.17% |
| 3 | Stop lamp not working | 6.77% |
| 4 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 5.95% |
| 5 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.36% |
| 6 | Number plate lamp not working | 4.96% |
| 7 | Position lamp not working | 3.26% |
| 8 | Front lamp not working | 3.19% |
| 9 | Windscreen washer not working | 3.09% |
| 10 | Exhaust system fault | 3.08% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.66% |
| 12 | Indicator fault | 2.17% |
| 13 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.06% |
| 14 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.82% |
| 15 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.80% |
| 16 | Fog lamp not working | 1.78% |
| 17 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.76% |
| 18 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 1.65% |
| 19 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.64% |
| 20 | Tyre condition | 1.63% |
| 21 | Headlamp fault | 1.62% |
| 22 | Seat belt condition | 1.48% |
| 23 | Track rod end worn | 1.44% |
| 24 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.35% |
| 25 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.29% |
| 26 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.14% |
| 27 | Rear fog lamp not working | 1.13% |
| 28 | Horn not working | 1.07% |
| 29 | Rear lamp not working | 1.05% |
| 30 | Chassis condition | 1.02% |
| 31 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.92% |
| 32 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.82% |
| 33 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.73% |
| 34 | Parking brake condition | 0.73% |
| 35 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.64% |
| 36 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.59% |
| 37 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.56% |
| 38 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.55% |
| 39 | Driveshaft fault | 0.51% |
| 40 | ABS fault | 0.50% |
| 41 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.50% |
| 42 | Drag link end worn | 0.49% |
| 43 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.43% |
| 44 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.42% |
| 45 | Airbag warning light on | 0.40% |
| 46 | Front suspension fault | 0.38% |
| 47 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.35% |
| 48 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.35% |
| 49 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.34% |
| 50 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.32% |
| 51 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.31% |
| 52 | Rear suspension fault | 0.30% |
| 53 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.28% |
| 54 | Electrical switch fault | 0.26% |
| 55 | Brake lever fault | 0.26% |
| 56 | Brake pedal fault | 0.25% |
| 57 | Steering operation fault | 0.22% |
| 58 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.21% |
| 59 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.20% |
| 60 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.20% |
| 61 | Steering box fault | 0.20% |
| 62 | Brake fluid leak | 0.18% |
| 63 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.18% |
| 64 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.17% |
| 65 | Steering lock fault | 0.17% |
| 66 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.17% |
| 67 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.17% |
| 68 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | 0.17% |
| 69 | Brake caliper fault | 0.16% |
| 70 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.15% |
| 71 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.13% |
| 72 | Propshaft fault | 0.12% |
| 73 | Front passenger door fault | 0.12% |
| 74 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.11% |
| 75 | Towbar fault | 0.11% |
| 76 | Passenger seat fault | 0.10% |
| 77 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.10% |
| 78 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.10% |
| 79 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.10% |
| 80 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.09% |
| 81 | Steering free play excessive | 0.09% |
| 82 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.09% |
| 83 | Steering coupling worn | 0.09% |
| 84 | Transmission oil leak | 0.08% |
| 85 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.08% |
| 86 | Steering column fault | 0.08% |
| 87 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 88 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.07% |
| 89 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.07% |
| 90 | Driver door fault | 0.06% |
| 91 | Outline marker lamp not working | 0.06% |
| 92 | Steering damper fault | 0.06% |
| 93 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.06% |
| 94 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.06% |
| 95 | Driver seat fault | 0.06% |
| 96 | Body security fault | 0.05% |
| 97 | Power steering pump fault | 0.05% |
| 98 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 99 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.05% |
| 100 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.05% |
| 101 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.05% |
| 102 | Engine oil leak | 0.05% |
| 103 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 104 | Power steering ram fault | 0.05% |
| 105 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 106 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.04% |
| 107 | Indicator warning light fault | 0.04% |
| 108 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.04% |
| 109 | Universal joint worn | 0.04% |
| 110 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.04% |
| 111 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.04% |
| 112 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 113 | Steering lock stop fault | 0.03% |
| 114 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | 0.03% |
| 115 | Exhaust leak | 0.03% |
| 116 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 117 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 118 | Speedometer fault | 0.03% |
| 119 | Dip switch fault | 0.02% |
| 120 | Halfshaft fault | 0.02% |
| 121 | Hydraulic fluid leak | 0.02% |
| 122 | Steering shaft fault | 0.02% |
| 123 | Brake valve fault | 0.02% |
| 124 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 125 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 126 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 127 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 128 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | 0.02% |
| 129 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | 0.02% |
| 130 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 131 | Suspension coupling worn | 0.02% |
| 132 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 133 | Anchor bracket corroded | 0.01% |
| 134 | Steering rack fault | 0.01% |
| 135 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 136 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | 0.01% |
| 137 | Hazard warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 138 | Spare wheel fault | 0.01% |
| 139 | Stub axle worn | 0.01% |
| 140 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 143 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 148 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 149 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Subframe mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 152 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 155 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 156 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 158 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 160 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 163 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 168 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Subframe corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 170 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 171 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 172 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 174 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 175 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 179 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 180 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 182 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 183 | MacPherson strut worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 183 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Jeep Wrangler MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Jeep Wrangler, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Jeep Wrangler problems?
Based on analysis of 95K Jeep Wrangler MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 24 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Suspension linkage pins, bushes or ball joints worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Jeep Wrangler generation has the most problems?
The Jeep Wrangler TJ (1996-2006) (1996–2006) has the highest number of identified common problems (25). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Jeep Wrangler?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Jeep Wrangler owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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