2003 Chrysler Grand Cherokee 2.8L Diesel · WK53 FPD

The most recent MOT, conducted on 18 December 2025 at 145,323 miles, passed but carried four advisories that point to neglect of basic underbody and lighting maintenance. The tester flagged a non-functioning central stop lamp, corrosion on an offside inner sill, a deteriorated nearside steering rack gaiter, and corroded front brake pipes obscured by grease. Taken together with the pattern of earlier failures, the maintenance trend is not stable. It shows a vehicle that has been kept on the road with recurring structural and steering defects rather than one that has been systematically repaired. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with light annual use of around 6,300 miles. The record shows 134,457 miles in December 2022, 137,556 miles in December 2023, 140,671 miles in December 2024, and 145,323 miles in December 2025. There are no large unexplained gaps or sudden jumps, so the odometer reading appears credible. The vehicle has simply aged with modest mileage, which makes the repeated corrosion and suspension wear more concerning, as these issues stem from age and environment rather than high use. A buyer should treat the inner sill corrosion and corroded brake pipes as priority inspection points. The December 2024 failure noted excessive corrosion near a body mounting within 30 cm of the nearside rear inner sill, a structural concern that can recur even after patch repairs. The front brake pipes were flagged as corroded and coated in grease, suggesting contamination that accelerates deterioration. Have a garage put the car on a lift and examine both sills, the subframe mounting points, and the full length of the metal brake lines, paying particular attention to where pipes pass through clips or along the chassis. The steering and suspension components also warrant close scrutiny. The nearside front steering rack gaiter was damaged at the most recent test, allowing dirt ingress that will accelerate rack wear. Both front lower suspension arm ball joints have shown play across multiple tests, and the offside joint was excessively worn at the December 2024 failure. The front anti-roll bar bushes were flagged as worn in 2023. These are not isolated consumable replacements but a pattern of deferred front-end work. Inspect the rack for leaks and play, check both ball joints for play with the weight off the suspension, and verify that the anti-roll bar links and bushes have been replaced rather than left to deteriorate.