Used car guide

2006 Jeep Commander: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Jeep Commander first registered in 2006: we looked at the 245 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 245 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

245MOTs of 2006 cars, done in 2023–2025
64%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)
7,400typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for anti-roll bar link joints

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Jeep Commander?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Jeep Commander than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.8× usual
    Jeep Commander
    12.2% All 2006 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.6% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    Jeep Commander
    14.7% All 2006 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 3.1% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2006 Jeep Commander MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Jeep Commander MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    31% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    25% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Tyres
    20% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    17% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Jeep Commander

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2006 Jeep Commander as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2006 Jeep Commander as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Jeep Commander?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Jeep Commander compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009–Too few tests
2008–Too few tests
2007459Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Jeep Commander cars first registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score