Used car guide

2020 Jeep Compass: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Jeep Compasss, from 1,657 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,657MOT tests in 2025
83%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
7,200typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for wipers

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Jeep Compasss than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Wipers1.9× usual
    Jeep Compass
    5.5% All 2020 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.8% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Engine oil leaks4.5× usual
    Jeep Compass
    2.7% All 2020 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2020 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
    Jeep Compass
    4% All 2020 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2020 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.

By area

The share of 2020 Jeep Compass MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    33% 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
    19% 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
    8% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Jeep Compass?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20221,272Tyres 26%
20211,658Tyres 30%
20193,169Tyres 34%
20182,409Tyres 36%
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 2020 Jeep Compasss registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score