1998 Jeep Cherokee Limited A 4.0L Petrol · R985 BDL
1998 Jeep Cherokee Limited A (4.0L, petrol). First registered 01/01/1998. Recorded mileage 218,513 miles. MOT valid until 07/01/2027. Taxed until 01/01/2027.
- Make & Model
- JEEP CHEROKEE LIMITED A
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- MOT Status
- Valid until 07/01/2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01/01/2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 218,513 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 4.0L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
- Fuel Type
- PETROL
- Year
- 1998
- Engine
- 3960cc
R985 BDL Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 09/12/2025
- 218,513 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Excellent
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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R985 BDL Mileage History
- 13/12/2021193,986 mi
- 09/12/2022199,787 mi+5,801 mi
- 13/12/2023205,898 mi+6,111 mi
- 10/12/2024212,345 mi+6,447 mi
- 09/12/2025218,513 mi+6,168 mi
Average of roughly 6,149 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
R985 BDL MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Jeep Cherokee Limited A (R985 BDL) between December 2021 and December 2025.
The record contains 5 passes and 0 failures.
The record shows no MOT failures, although 5 advisory notices note items to monitor.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (1 issue), Brakes (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 5 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
A high-mileage example of the Cherokee L
Given the odometer reading of 218,513 miles, the primary focus should be on the mechanical longevity of the 3960cc petrol engine. Prospective buyers should request comprehensive service records to identify when major components were last replaced. Negotiate based on the inevitable wear and tear associated with a vehicle of this age and mileage.
Verify the current state of the braking system and tyres, as these were flagged in previous years. Ensure that any historical advisories have been addressed with receipts to prove the work was carried out by a qualified technician.
The 3.9L petrol engine is the dominant factor in this vehicle's running costs, leading to high fuel consumption and a high road tax bracket. Insurance groups for these older 4x4s can vary, but the engine size typically keeps premiums higher than smaller alternatives.
Maintenance costs for a 28-year-old vehicle with over 200,000 miles are likely to be higher than average. When combining fuel, tax, insurance, and anticipated repairs, the annual cost of ownership will be significant.
Inspect the braking system thoroughly, specifically the rear brakes, following a 2022 MOT advisory regarding imbalanced brakes. Check all four tyres for even wear across the tread, as a 2021 advisory noted wear in the centre of the tread, which can indicate alignment or pressure issues.
Additionally, check the anti-roll bar and parking brake efficiency, as aggregate data for 513 analysed Cherokees identifies these as top failure reasons for this model. Inspect the headlamps for clarity and function, as these are also common failure points in the model's wider data set.
This red 1998 Jeep Cherokee Limited A has recorded 218,513 miles, which is substantially higher than the model average. It has passed its last five MOT tests without failure, with the most recent test on 2025-12-09 recording no defects. The vehicle has seen consistent use, covering roughly 25,000 miles between 2021 and 2025.
The Jeep Cherokee has an average MOT pass rate of 76%, with frequent issues involving the anti-roll bar and parking brake.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
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