2003 Jeep Cherokee 2.8L Diesel · RL03 RNE

This 2003 Jeep Cherokee presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent test on 8 September 2025 at 106,602 miles resulted in a clean pass, which is encouraging. However, the trajectory leading to that pass reveals a worsening fault pattern. The nearside front upper suspension arm ball joint deteriorated from "slight play" noted in August 2024 at 103,713 miles to "excessively worn" by the 15 August 2025 failure at 106,571 miles. The vehicle then passed just 24 days later, indicating a recent repair. A buyer must verify that this was a proper component replacement rather than a superficial fix, given the rapid escalation of wear. The mileage profile is notably low for a 23-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 4,635 miles per year. The record shows a steady but modest accumulation: 98,253 miles in August 2022, 101,449 in August 2023, 103,713 in August 2024, and 106,571 by mid-August 2025. This suggests light use, possibly with extended periods of standing. Low mileage does not exempt a vehicle of age-related deterioration. Rubber bushes, seals, and corrosion protection degrade with time, not just use. The recurring nearside front suspension ball joint wear across four consecutive years points to a persistent weak point. A physical inspection should focus on the front suspension geometry, checking for uneven tyre wear patterns consistent with the inner edge wear flagged in both the 2025 tests. The offside rear hub oil seal leak noted in August 2022 at 98,253 miles was not mentioned in subsequent tests, but a buyer should still inspect the rear hub assembly for fresh seepage or contaminated brake components. The parking brake lever excessive movement flagged in the August 2025 failure also demands attention. Check the rear brake calipers for binding and the parking brake cables for stretch or corrosion, particularly given the vehicle's age. Corrosion inspection is critical on a 20-year-old American SUV operating in UK conditions. Examine the subframes, sills, and suspension mounting points for structural rust, especially around the front suspension area where the ball joint failure occurred. The seat belt webbing damage flagged in the August 2025 failure should be physically verified as repaired, checking the nearside rear belt for cuts or fraying. While the current MOT is valid, the cluster of faults in the most recent failure test suggests deferred maintenance that a diligent buyer must investigate before purchase.