Used car guide · 2007–2026

Jeep Compass common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Jeep Compass, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 32,404 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2007 Jeep Compass

Too few Jeep Compass cars first registered in 2007 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Jeep Compass as a whole.

55on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolmost common fuel (also petrol hybrid)
What to check on a 2007 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172014201320122011200920082007

What usually goes wrong with a Jeep Compass?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Timing belt that runs in oil (PureTech petrol)

    Cars registered 2023–2026 · 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol

    The 1.0 and 1.2 PureTech petrol engines use a timing belt that runs in the engine oil (a “wet belt”). It can break down early and shed rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some also burn too much oil. Stellantis now covers earlier engines for belt and oil-burning problems for up to 10 years or 112,000 miles, as long as the car has been serviced on schedule.

    At the viewing: Ask for a full service history showing the right oil, and when the belt was last checked or changed. Check the oil level on the dipstick, and that no oil-pressure or engine warning light stays on.

    Source: Parkers: Stellantis wet belt compensation, and the cars at risk, Stellantis: compensation policy for earlier PureTech 1.0 and 1.2 engines (7 May 2025)

Common Jeep Compass MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 4.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 7.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 21× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Diesel

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 30× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    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.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 7.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2019.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Hybrid

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 32× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Jeep Compass MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2021 Jeep Compass did best (85% passed first time, 2 points below all 2021 cars) and the 2011 did worst (55%, 7 points below all 2011 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202387%92% -5228 (small sample)
202285%89% -41,279
202185%87% -23,205
202085%87% -24,837
201979%85% -69,290
201877%83% -67,054
201468%70% -21,228
201364%67% -31,590
201261%64% -31,740
201155%62% -71,683
200948%59% -11111 (small sample)
200849%57% -8159 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Jeep Compass

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

  1. When was the timing belt last checked or changed, and has it had the right oil at every service? Is the car still within Stellantis’ extended PureTech cover?
  2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Jeep Compass as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.3× as often on the Jeep Compass as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Jeep Compass as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Jeep Compass?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score