2008 Jeep Compass diesel: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the diesel Jeep Compass first registered in 2008 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 113 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 113 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Jeep Compass diesel?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Jeep Compass diesel than on all cars registered in 2008.
- Sub-frame4.6× usualJeep Compass27.4% All 2008 cars6%
Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Common 2008 Jeep Compass diesel MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2008 Jeep Compass diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension65% 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.
- Lights and electrics43% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes36% 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.
- Tyres35% 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.
- Steering18% of testsRough price £100–£450
At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors11% 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 2008 Jeep Compass diesel
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2008 Jeep Compass diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Jeep Compass compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 228 | Tyres 12% |
| 2022 | 1,279 | Tyres 26% |
| 2021 | 3,205 | Tyres 31% |
| 2020 | 4,837 | Tyres 30% |
| 2019 | 9,290 | Tyres 33% |
| 2018 | 7,054 | Tyres 34% |
| 2017 | – | Too few tests |
| 2014 | 1,228 | Suspension 41% |
| 2013 | 1,590 | Suspension 47% |
| 2012 | 1,740 | Suspension 51% |
| 2011 | 1,683 | Suspension 60% |
| 2009 | 111 | Suspension 59% |
| 2007 | – | Too few tests |
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 Compass cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score