Used car guide

2020 Jeep Compass: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Jeep Compass first registered in 2020: we looked at the 1,657 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

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

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Jeep Compass?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Jeep Compass 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.

Common 2020 Jeep Compass MOT failures and advisories

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Jeep Compass

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2020 Jeep Compass as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 2020 Jeep Compass as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2020 Jeep Compass as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023235Tyres 13%
20221,272Tyres 26%
20211,658Tyres 30%
20193,169Tyres 34%
20182,409Tyres 36%
2017–Too few tests
2014388Suspension 47%
2013501Suspension 54%
2012541Suspension 53%
2011482Suspension 62%
2009–Too few tests
2008–Too few tests
2007–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Jeep Compass cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score