1994 Jeep Wrangler 2.5 2.5L Petrol · M746 AOO

The Jeep passed its most recent test on 28 May 2026 at 126,173 miles, yet the advisory list reveals a persistent pattern of chronic defects rather than a clean bill of health. A nearside track rod end dust cover is deteriorated, a nearside rear oil leak continues, and the rear brakes are imbalanced to the point where requirements were only just met, signalling a need for immediate adjustment or repair. This mirrors the September 2024 test at 126,081 miles which flagged the same oil leak and a worn nearside front anti-roll bar bush, while the September 2023 test at 125,773 miles recorded a corroded nearside rear brake pipe. The braking imbalance has recurred despite low mileage, suggesting the rear braking system is not self-correcting and requires mechanical intervention. Annual mileage has averaged roughly 3,900 miles over 32 years, but the last two decades show a sharp decline to a few hundred miles per year. Between September 2024 and May 2026 the vehicle covered barely 92 miles, indicating long periods of inactivity. This low usage correlates with the tyre cracking epidemics recorded between 2016 and 2019, where all four tyres perished from age rather than wear, and explains why consumable items like brake pipes and suspension bushes degrade without accumulating significant road miles. The 2015 failure at 122,351 miles for dangerous brake efficiency, parking brake travel and a track rod end dust cover ingress shows the platform can deteriorate rapidly when neglected. A buyer should prioritise identifying the source of the chronic oil leak noted at every test since 2014, distinguishing between engine, transmission and differential seals on the nearside rear. The anti-roll bar linkage pins and bushes have been flagged worn on both sides since 2019 and again in 2024, so check for excessive play or noise on rough ground. The rear brake imbalance demands a strip-down to inspect the nearside caliper for seizure, the brake pipe for the corrosion noted in 2023, and the adjuster mechanism. Finally, verify the track rod end dust covers are intact; the offside outer failed on ingress in 2015 and the nearside is now damaged, steering geometry must be confirmed true.