Used car guide

2018 Jeep Compass: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Jeep Compasss, from 2,409 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,409MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
7,400typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Jeep Compasss than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Brake discs1.8× usual
    Jeep Compass
    19.5% All 2018 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.5× usual
    Jeep Compass
    11.2% All 2018 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints14× usual
    Jeep Compass
    7% All 2018 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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.

  • Engine oil leaks3.9× usual
    Jeep Compass
    5.5% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Daytime running lights16× usual
    Jeep Compass
    3.2% All 2018 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 0.2% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

By area

The share of 2018 Jeep Compass MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    36% 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
    24% 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.

  • Suspension
    24% 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 electrics
    10% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    6% 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.

Looking at a Jeep Compass?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,272Tyres 26%
20211,658Tyres 30%
20201,657Tyres 33%
20193,169Tyres 34%
2013501Suspension 54%
2012541Suspension 53%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Jeep Compasss registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score