2009 Jeep Compass — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 269 MOT tests, the 2009 Jeep Compass recorded a 66.9% pass rate. That is 6.9 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 26.2%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 22.7% of all tests — 7.8 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, ball joint and position lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 43 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 45.5% versus 30.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 48.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 22.7% | 61 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 40 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.5% | 31 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 23 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.7% | 18 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.3% | 17 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 43 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 32 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 19 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 18 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 18 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 14 |
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 | 48.0% | 129 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.2% | 76 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.8% | 64 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.2% | 49 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 40 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.6% | 34 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 98 | 30.6% |
| 90-120k | 103 | 35.9% |
| 120-150k | 33 | 45.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 233 | 32.2% |
| Diesel | 36 | 38.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 36.1% |
| 2022 | 53 | 30.2% |
| 2023 | 63 | 36.5% |
| 2024 | 38 | 23.7% |
| 2025 | 43 | 34.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Compass
On a 2009 Compass, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 22.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (22.7% 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 (14.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.5% 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 2009 Jeep Compasss pass their MOT?
66.9% of the 269 2009 Jeep Compass MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Jeep Compass?
Suspension, recorded in 22.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.9%).
Does the 2009 Compass get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.6% in the 60-90k band to 45.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 269 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.