Jeep Cherokee Sport (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 37 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£3,088

£257/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2460cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £3,088/year to run. 14 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Jeep Cherokee Sport

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol2460cc28 years old37 tests94k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2460cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£3,088

Per month£257/mo

Per week£59/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Jeep brand average of 78%.

68% of MOT tests on Jeep Cherokee Sports from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 37 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 94,103 miles.

Got a Jeep Cherokee Sport you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models279th of 325(bottom 15%)

Rank among Jeep models284th of 333(bottom 16%)

vs average of all models-14%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average-7%(75% avg)

vs Jeep average-10%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

94,103

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport had 94,103 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific Jeep Cherokee Sport?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Jeep Cherokee Sport by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2005	73%	104	86,882 mi
2002	68%	65	116,993 mi
1998	68%	37	94,103 mi
1997	75%	44	123,840 mi
1996	78%	36	131,929 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW Z3

1998 · 2800cc Petrol

£2,888/year

77%

+9%

BMW 3 Series

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,888/year

78%

+10%

Ford Focus

2000 · 1989cc Petrol

£2,761/year

67%

-1%

Mercedes SLK

1999 · 2298cc Petrol

£2,888/year

79%

+11%

Check a Specific Jeep Cherokee Sport

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

About the 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport

The 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport is a large car. Our records list a 2460cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 37 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 15% of 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 94,103 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Jeep Cherokee Sport owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport Fuel Costs

The 2460cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport?

Total estimated annual running cost is £3,088 (£257/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport

At 28 years old, the Jeep Cherokee Sport is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 37 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 28 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 94k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Jeep Cherokee Sport(1998)	68%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£3,088
BMW Z3(1998)	77%	£1,958	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,888-£200
BMW 3 Series(1999)	78%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,888-£200
Ford Focus(2000)	67%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,761-£327
Mercedes SLK(1999)	79%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,888-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport

Is the 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sports ended in a pass, from 37 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport cost to run?

Our estimate is £3,088 a year (£257 a month): £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport?

68% of 37 MOT tests on the 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 279th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (bottom 15%).

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport is 94,103 miles, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.