CarCostCheck

JEEP WRANGLER (2004)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 131 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

84%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3960cc Petrol

Solid Option

84% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol3960cc22 years old131 tests79k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3960cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 3960cc

£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

84% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

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

At 22 years old, 84% of JEEP WRANGLERs from 2004 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 131 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 78,614 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2004 cars86th of 491(top 18%)
Rank among JEEP models85th of 336(top 25%)
vs national average+2%(82% avg)
vs 2004 cars average+12%(72% avg)
vs JEEP average+6%(78% avg)

Mileage Analysis

78,614

Average miles

vs

162,800

Expected for age

The average 2004 JEEP WRANGLER has 78,614 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 162,800 miles for a 22-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 2004 sits between the two at 84%.

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 2004 JEEP WRANGLER

The 2004 JEEP WRANGLER is a performance with a 3960cc petrol engine. 131 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 18% of all 2004 cars for reliability.

With an average of 78,614 miles at 22 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.

2004 JEEP WRANGLER Fuel Costs

The 3960cc 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 2004 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 84% 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 2004 JEEP WRANGLER

At 22 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%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2004 JEEP WRANGLER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 22 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.

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 2004 JEEP WRANGLER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
JEEP WRANGLER(2004)84%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2757
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(2006)80%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER SPORT(2005)82%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
PORSCHE 911(2006)90%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2097-£660
VOLVO XC90(2006)73%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2397-£360

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.

Related Jeep Models

Explore other Jeep cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Jeep Wrangler.

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