Used car guide

2012 Jeep Compass: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Jeep Compasss, from 541 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

541MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
6,400typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Jeep Compasss than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
    Jeep Compass
    20% All 2012 cars
    10.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2% of all 2012 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.

  • Sub-frame2.6× usual
    Jeep Compass
    12.8% All 2012 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.3% of all 2012 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.

  • Ball joint2.3× usual
    Jeep Compass
    12.6% All 2012 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 3% of all 2012 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 joint dust cover3.1× usual
    Jeep Compass
    8.9% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 1.2% of all 2012 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.

  • Shock absorbers2× usual
    Jeep Compass
    12.8% All 2012 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 1.7% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

By area

The share of 2012 Jeep Compass MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    53% 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
    34% 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.

  • Brakes
    33% 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
    28% 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
    10% 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.

  • Steering
    9% 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.

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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,272Tyres 26%
20211,658Tyres 30%
20201,657Tyres 33%
20193,169Tyres 34%
20182,409Tyres 36%
2013501Suspension 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Jeep Compasss registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score