Jeep Compass MOT pass rate and common problems
82.0% of 17,200 Jeep Compass MOT tests pass.
The Compass has a pass rate of 82.0%, a little higher than the average across all Jeep models (80.1%).
The Jeep Compass has a pass rate of 82.0%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Jeep Compass?
This is the average across every Jeep Compass in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Jeep’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Jeep Compass tested at 0–3 years pass 89.0% of the time, compared with just 66.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 89.0% | 1,407 | 23,023 miles |
| 3–6 years | 86.0% | 10,426 | 35,657 miles |
| 6–10 years | 78.5% | 1,893 | 51,693 miles |
| 10–15 years | 69.5% | 3,303 | 85,654 miles |
| 15+ years | 66.1% | 171 | 105,372 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Jeep Compass
The most common reason the Jeep Compass fails its MOT is suspension — present in 37.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 37.6% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Tyres | 32.9% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 32.5% | Not working |
| Visibility | 28.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Brakes | 17.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 4.0% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.1% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.5% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.1% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Jeep Compass: what to check
These checks follow the Jeep Compass’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Jeep Compass comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 78.5% to 69.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 82.7% down to 73.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 37.6% of failed Jeep Compass MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 56.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 32.9% of failed Jeep Compass MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 32.5% of failed Jeep Compass MOTs. 28.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 4.6% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 28.8% of failed Jeep Compass MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 17.0% of failed Jeep Compass MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 11.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Jeep service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Jeep models
- Jeep Renegade — 81.3% pass rate
- Jeep Grand Cherokee — 82.1% pass rate
- Jeep Cherokee — 74.9% pass rate
- Jeep Wrangler — 83.4% pass rate
- Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland — 76.3% pass rate
- Jeep Patriot — 59.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Jeep Compass?
- 82.0% of Jeep Compass MOT tests pass, based on 17,200 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Jeep Compass?
- The most common reason the Jeep Compass fails its MOT is suspension — present in 37.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Jeep Compass?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Jeep Compass are suspension; tyres; lights and electrics. Rare on young cars, but 56.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Jeep Compass?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Jeep Compass's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Jeep service history guide for how to check and keep one.