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Jeep Compass reliability

E · Poor

MOT pass rates and common problems from 60,745 MOT tests of cars first registered 2011–2022.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
75.1%pass first time
−4.5 ptsvs typical car
Beats 17%of cars
60,745MOT tests

Verdict

The Jeep Compass passes its MOT first time on 75.1% of tests, 4.5 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (79.7%). That puts it ahead of 17% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2014 Compass does best (beats 32% of cars) and the 2019 worst (beats 9%).

Better than average on body & structure.

Watch these weak spots

Suspension1.8×as often as a typical car
Visibility1.5×as often as a typical car
Suspension ball joints3.0×as often as a typical car
Suspension arm bushes3.5×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%100%34567891011121386%80%73%64%60%57%
Jeep CompassTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2011
Beats 15%
2012
Beats 29%
2013
Beats 30%
2014
Beats 32%
2018
Beats 11%
2019
Beats 9%
2020
Beats 16%
2021
Beats 9%
2022
Beats 31%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol2018–202128,27482.2%Beats 14%E
2.1 Diesel2011–201411,77561.4%Beats 17%E
2.4 Petrol2011–20146,81670.6%Beats 47%C
1.6 Diesel2018–20196,05875.0%Beats 3%E
2.0 Diesel2018–20193,79280.4%Beats 13%E
2.0 Petrol2011–20122,49758.9%Beats 14%E
1.3 Hybrid2022–20221,53384.3%Beats 31%D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 7.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 7.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 6.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 3.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 7.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.0 ptsTyres: 6.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.1 ptsBrakes: 3.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.1 ptsSuspension: 7.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−3.4 ptsExhaust: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.0 ptsSuspension: 7.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 3.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 6.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 7.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 7.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 6.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.0 ptsTyres: 6.8% of tests fail on tyres, against 5.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.1 ptsBrakes: 3.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.1 ptsSuspension: 7.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−3.4 ptsExhaust: 2.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 7.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Suspension
7.8% vs 4.4%
Lights & electrics
7.5% vs 6.5%
Tyres
6.8% vs 5.7%
Visibility
5.4% vs 3.7%
Brakes
3.9% vs 4.0%
Emissions & leaks
2.4% vs 1.4%
Steering
1.1% vs 0.9%
Body & structure
0.8% vs 1.3%
Seat belts & airbags
0.5% vs 0.5%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Suspension ball joints 3.0× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Tyre tread depth 1.6× typical
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Windscreen wipers 1.5× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Engine warning light 2.2× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Anti-roll bar links 3.8× typical
    A knock or rattle over uneven roads usually means worn anti-roll bar links (cheap to fix).
  • Headlight bulbs & units 1.7× typical
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k92%85%76%68%60%54%
Jeep CompassTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking3.2%3.5%0.9×
Tyre tread depth3.2%2.1%1.6×
Windscreen wipers3.1%2.0%1.5×
Suspension ball joints2.3%0.8%3.0×
Windscreen washers2.2%1.5%1.5×
Suspension arm bushes2.0%0.6%3.5×
Headlight aim2.0%2.1%0.9×
Headlight bulbs & units1.9%1.2%1.7×
Sidelights1.7%1.2%1.4×
Brake pads1.6%1.8%0.9×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn52.6
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements32.4
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen30.8
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen22.2
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements19.7
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction19.7
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning18.6
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED18.1
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2022 Jeep Compass1 engine84.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.3 Hybrid1,53384.3%Beats 31%D
2021 Jeep Compass1 engine84.0% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol4,20084.0%Beats 9%E
2020 Jeep Compass1 engine84.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol4,97684.2%Beats 16%E
2019 Jeep Compass3 engines80.4% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol9,88081.9%Beats 15%E
1.6 Diesel2,87375.4%Beats 1%E
2.0 Diesel2,40880.1%Beats 7%E
2018 Jeep Compass3 engines79.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol9,21880.7%Beats 14%E
1.6 Diesel3,18574.7%Beats 4%E
2.0 Diesel1,38480.9%Beats 28%D
2014 Jeep Compass2 engines71.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel1,77167.6%Beats 16%E
2.4 Petrol1,36477.4%Beats 60%B
2013 Jeep Compass2 engines68.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel2,62966.4%Beats 27%D
2.4 Petrol1,77970.3%Beats 34%D
2012 Jeep Compass3 engines64.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel3,59961.8%Beats 19%E
2.4 Petrol2,38571.2%Beats 58%C
2.0 Petrol1,04560.2%Beats 12%E
2011 Jeep Compass3 engines57.0% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.1 Diesel3,77654.7%Beats 10%E
2.0 Petrol1,45258.0%Beats 16%E
2.4 Petrol1,28862.6%Beats 31%D

FAQ

What is the Jeep Compass MOT pass rate?

75.1% of MOT tests on the Jeep Compass were passed first time, based on 60,745 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2011–2022. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 79.7% of the time.

Is the Jeep Compass reliable?

On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 17% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Jeep Compass year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2014 Compass does best for its age and mileage: it beats 32% of cars on UK roads. The 2019 does worst: it beats 9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Jeep Compass?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, windscreen wipers. Compared with similar cars, suspension ball joints comes up 3.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.