2012 Jeep Compass — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,308 MOT tests, the 2012 Jeep Compass recorded a 78.4% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 22.3%, so the 2012 Compass sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (10.5%) and suspension (10.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, pins and bushes and wipers — headlamp alone was recorded 75 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 28.6% versus 11.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 138 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.4% | 136 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.7% | 74 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.0% | 65 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.0% | 53 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 35 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 75 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 63 |
| 3 | Wipers | 48 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 46 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 37 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 36 |
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 | 35.5% | 465 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.6% | 322 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.2% | 304 |
| 4 | Other defects | 13.3% | 174 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 106 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 104 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 53 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 398 | 17.1% |
| 60-90k | 534 | 21.7% |
| 90-120k | 254 | 28.7% |
| 120-150k | 56 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,223 | 21.7% |
| Diesel | 85 | 20.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 261 | 18.0% |
| 2022 | 268 | 21.3% |
| 2023 | 261 | 19.9% |
| 2024 | 259 | 23.5% |
| 2025 | 259 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Compass
On a 2012 Compass, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (10.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.4% 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.
- Brakes (5.7% 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 2012 Jeep Compasss pass their MOT?
78.4% of the 1,308 2012 Jeep Compass MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Jeep Compass?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.5% of tests, followed by suspension (10.4%).
Does the 2012 Compass get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,308 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.