・Excellent condition throughout

・Low mileage with good service history

・Rare Limited edition 60th anniversary model

The origins of the XJ Jeep Cherokee stem from the Wagoneer which has its roots in the 1960s. The boxy yet elegant design soon became the template for the modern SUV and is recognised as a design influence for many cars since. Catered more for backroads rather than cross-country adventures, the brand came to the UK as an official importer in 1993. In a timely piece of marketing, where stylish four-wheel-drive transportation was a highly marketable asset, the Cherokee’s soon became a common sight. Its reputation for durability combined with a generous equipment list and rugged good looks gave it the cred needed for both the Golf Course as well as the rural tracks.

The owner has always had a soft spot for the Jeep Cherokee. When they were current, he intended to buy a smaller off-road lifestyle vehicle for his then pregnant-wife but was slightly concerned about the safety aspect. After some research, he decided that the Cherokee was best-suited for her requirements. It was easy to park with light steering, good vision and offered plenty of space and comfort. She was so impressed with it, he bought another one for himself soon afterwards. Following the positive experiences, he came across this very clean example for sale on auction last year. He has continuously used this car on a regular basis, and he states that it might be something he deeply regrets but is selling it to make some space for another car. He adds that the previous owner had stored the car in a heated barn and had been serviced shortly before he bought it.

The car has the distinction of good service history, with the most recent service carried out last year. It also received attention to the brakes at the same time. The Cherokee also comes with a stack of MOTs and receipts for minor maintenance items to support its current mileage of 86,000 miles which has seen 5 documented owners over its lifetime. Typically, the car saw extensive use in the first 10 years of its life with evidence to back up the car having just covered less than 15,000 over the last 5 years. The current MOT expires in June.

The Cherokee's relatively low roof height equates to a low centre of gravity for an off-roader. It means less body roll than you might expect and many people will find the Cherokee easy to drive and comfortable.

The full dark grey leather heated electric seats are in generally good condition, with the exception of the driver's seat which has significant damage to the squab on the seat. It’s not beyond repair but worth considering the option of a possible replacement. The other seats are in good condition, with no rips or tears.

Interiors on Jeep Cherokees have a bit of a reputation of being tatty, but there are no signs of loose trim or over-used carpets in this one and the general condition of the interior is rather positive. The dashboard is in good condition, with minor signs of age, but free from significant damage or abuse. The dials, controls and switches have resisted the years well and all are said to be functional, including both the front seat electric controls and the air conditioning. The only thing that needs pointing out is that the electrics airbag light stays on. The headlining is good, with no damage. The door cards are in good condition, with the driver's door showing minor scrapes that could be cleaned up without any issues. The steering wheel and gear knob are in good condition with well below average signs of wear.

The loading area is clean and has no evidence of rough use or abuse. No pet hairs were detected.

The handsome square-rigged styling has aged well and is now recognised as a design classic. This 60th Anniversary edition model has the advantage of roof bars, alloys and bigger wheel arches.

The first impressions are very positive, the metalwork is very good throughout, with no obvious damage or knocks on the body. The panel gaps are good and true throughout the car. The underside is straight and there is no visible evidence of serious corrosion on the first inspection. There is one small rust blemish on the near-side rear boot window close to the C pillar and rust is starting to develop on the top of both rain gutters, with a bigger patch on the top of the roof where it meets to nearside A-pillar. There is also a blemish on the near-side rear corner close to the rear light.

The Silverstone Silver paintwork is in good order throughout, with good coverage on the flat surfaces and a displays a pleasingly shiny lustre. There are a handful of minor marks on the front and rear bumper corners, and the occasional chip or minor scratch in places. A section of the passenger door paint is slightly matted too, suggesting a touch up at some point. The car was originally sold with black bumper outer sections, so this is worth considering if the new owner wishes to bring the car back to originality. The body trim is in generally good condition and is mostly undamaged with just a few minor signs of ageing. The metal roof bars are in good condition with no obvious signs of rust. 

The glass is in good condition, the laminate shows no signs of degradation and are all free from significant scratches. There are no chips or cracks on the glass, with the rubber trim in good condition with no obvious signs of leaks. The alloys are in good order, with some signs of wear but are free from significant damage and look like they have seen some level of renovation in the past. Three of the tyres are Cooper Discoverer, with the front two dating from 2009, the rear tyre dates from 2017. The other rear tyre is a Grabber AT and appears to have been a recent addition. All tyres have plenty of thread, including the spare.

The diesel option for the Cherokee offers reasonable performance and proved to offer a considerably better economy than the petrol versions.

The owner has told us that the torquey 2.5-litre VM Diesel engine runs well and is surprisingly economical considering the size of the car.  On startup, the engine beat was sound, with no obvious unwanted noises or squeals. Both the gearbox and engine show no signs of leaking. The engine presentation is good, with all of the pipework, ancillaries and wiring in good condition. The owner has pointed out that it has suffered a recent minor coolant leak, which has since been repaired. The engine has presented no issues during its daily use, is said not to run hot and pulls well. Importantly for the VM unit, it has seen regular servicing and has stamps and receipts over its 20-year life to support this.

The exhaust is in good condition and after the cold start, the condensation disappeared and there was no evidence of excessive smoke after the engine got up to temperature. It is clear that the car has not seen much off-road action, judging by the condition of the underside. The multilink suspension and braking components are fully operational and are said not to create any drama when in use.

Offered as a luxury package, complete with leather seats, air conditioning and roof rails, the 60th Anniversary edition model was one of just 2,778 worldwide Silver editions produced to celebrate the end of the XJ Jeep production. Add in the diesel engine with RHD configuration and you’re left with one of the rarest cars on the roads today! Their versatile nature, style and rugged but simple mechanics make them something of a sought after vehicle. What we have here is an extremely solid example, with a good history and signs of mechanical sympathy. The Cherokee's reputation is based on the original Jeep, and the DNA runs deep yet the Cherokee holds it own as a design classic. What the Cherokee offers best though, is complete practicality with the genuine ability to tackle almost any road condition without sacrificing comfort or practicality.

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