2021 Jeep Compass — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,774 MOT tests, the 2021 Jeep Compass recorded an 89.4% pass rate. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.1% fail rate), the 2021 Compass comes out 2.4pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.7%) and visibility (4.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, wipers and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 127 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.4% in the 0-30k band and 26.3% in the 60-90k band, a 16.9-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 0.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 10.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.7% | 187 |
| 2 | Visibility | 4.2% | 115 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 70 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 30 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 12 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 127 |
| 2 | Wipers | 111 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
| 4 | Washers | 35 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 18 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.6% | 711 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.5% | 319 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.7% | 214 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.5% | 125 |
| 5 | Suspension | 3.4% | 95 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 74 |
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 | 1,747 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 966 | 11.6% |
| 60-90k | 57 | 26.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,451 | 10.7% |
| Diesel | 323 | 9.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 31 | 0.0% |
| 2024 | 1,341 | 11.0% |
| 2025 | 1,376 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Compass
On a 2021 Compass, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (4.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (2.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Jeep Compasss pass their MOT?
89.4% of the 2,774 2021 Jeep Compass MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Jeep Compass?
Tyres, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by visibility (4.2%).
Does the 2021 Compass get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 0-30k band to 26.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,774 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.