CarCostCheck

JEEP WRANGLER (2002)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 86 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3950cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £2757/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol3950cc24 years old86 tests81k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3950cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 3950cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,757
Per month£230/mo
Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

88% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the JEEP brand average of 78%.

At 24 years old, 88% of JEEP WRANGLERs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 86 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 80,793 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars43th of 403(top 11%)
Rank among JEEP models56th of 336(top 17%)
vs national average+6%(82% avg)
vs 2002 cars average+15%(73% avg)
vs JEEP average+10%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

80,793

Average miles

vs

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 JEEP WRANGLER has 80,793 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 70%. The 2002 sits between the two at 88%.

JEEP WRANGLER by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202276%5522,432 mi
202192%1,01425,159 mi
202097%1,10027,112 mi
201993%1,63534,799 mi
201890%83240,647 mi
201787%76544,380 mi
201687%79852,444 mi
201584%1,36258,367 mi
201483%1,05066,190 mi
201381%54271,203 mi
201288%9088,026 mi
201193%7566,724 mi
201079%13278,289 mi
200976%7182,717 mi
200872%11696,992 mi
200779%13486,919 mi
200686%16773,411 mi
200589%11069,925 mi
200484%13178,614 mi
200380%15382,362 mi
200288%8680,793 mi
200177%7797,349 mi
200090%6778,650 mi
199970%7083,218 mi
199878%130102,624 mi
199784%8381,379 mi

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About the 2002 JEEP WRANGLER

The 2002 JEEP WRANGLER is a performance with a 3950cc petrol engine. 86 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 11% of all 2002 cars for reliability.

With an average of 80,793 miles at 24 years old, JEEP WRANGLER 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.

2002 JEEP WRANGLER Fuel Costs

The 3950cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2002 JEEP WRANGLER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

JEEP WRANGLER Reliability Trend

Newer JEEP WRANGLERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2002 JEEP WRANGLER

At 24 years old, the JEEP WRANGLER 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. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. Note: with only 86 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 JEEP WRANGLER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 24 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 81k 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.

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 2002 JEEP WRANGLER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
JEEP WRANGLER(2002)88%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2757
PORSCHE 911(2004)88%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(2003)77%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
JAGUAR XJ(2004)78%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360
BMW 645(2004)83%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Related Guides

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