2011 Chrysler-Jeep Compass — MOT failures & pass rate
799 MOT tests on the 2011 Chrysler-Jeep Compass are in this dataset, and 70.3% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (23.0% fail rate), the 2011 Compass comes out 6.7pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 20.5% of all tests — 6.9 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, pins and bushes and headlamp — ball joint alone was recorded 88 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 27.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 36.2% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.5% | 164 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 109 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.3% | 50 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.5% | 44 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.9% | 39 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.5% | 36 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 88 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 74 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 66 |
| 4 | Sub-frame | 47 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 39 |
| 6 | Wipers | 34 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.5% | 300 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.2% | 225 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.3% | 194 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.8% | 94 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 74 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.1% | 65 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 123 | 27.6% |
| 60-90k | 352 | 24.4% |
| 90-120k | 248 | 37.1% |
| 120-150k | 58 | 36.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 460 | 32.0% |
| Petrol | 339 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 184 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 168 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 169 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 150 | 30.7% |
| 2025 | 128 | 32.8% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Compass
On a 2011 Compass, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (20.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (13.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (6.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2011 Chrysler-Jeep Compasss pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 799 2011 Chrysler-Jeep Compass MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Chrysler-Jeep Compass?
Suspension, recorded in 20.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.6%).
Does the 2011 Compass get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.6% in the 30-60k band to 36.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 799 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.