Used car guide

2011 Jeep Compass: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Jeep Compasss, from 482 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 482 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

482MOT tests in 2025

54%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)

6,800typical miles a year

2.3×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Jeep Compasss than on all cars registered in 2011.

Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual

Jeep Compass
24.5% All 2011 cars
10.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 2.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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 joint2.8× usual

Jeep Compass
16.8% All 2011 cars
6.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.1%, against 3.2% of all 2011 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.
Sub-frame2.7× usual

Jeep Compass
15.8% All 2011 cars
5.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Track rod ends2.6× usual

Jeep Compass
13.9% All 2011 cars
5.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.6% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Steering rack inner joints2.6× usual

Jeep Compass
6.8% All 2011 cars
2.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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.

By area

The share of 2011 Jeep Compass MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

62% 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.
Tyres

35% 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.
Lights and electrics

34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

30% 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.
Oil and fluid leaks

15% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2023	235	Tyres 13%
2022	1,272	Tyres 26%
2021	1,658	Tyres 30%
2020	1,657	Tyres 33%
2019	3,169	Tyres 34%
2018	2,409	Tyres 36%
2014	388	Suspension 47%
2013	501	Suspension 54%
2012	541	Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Jeep Compasss registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score