2009 Alfa Romeo Mito — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 26,031 MOT tests, the 2009 Alfa Romeo Mito recorded a 71.6% pass rate. Superminis of a similar age fail 26.0% of the time, so this is 2.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (12.8%) and brakes (12.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, rbt (sp) and headlamp — coil spring alone was recorded 1,669 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 29.7% versus 14.9%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 28.3% of the time against 29.5% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.8% | 3,340 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.4% | 3,218 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 2,806 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.2% | 1,610 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 1,438 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 1,259 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 1,669 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 1,652 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,289 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 1,130 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 851 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 829 |
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 | 31.4% | 8,169 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.1% | 8,083 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.5% | 7,944 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.6% | 3,538 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 3,040 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.6% | 2,760 |
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 | 396 | 14.9% |
| 30-60k | 3,027 | 23.1% |
| 60-90k | 9,739 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 9,074 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 3,112 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 670 | 29.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 23,334 | 28.3% |
| Diesel | 2,697 | 29.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,320 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 5,844 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 5,370 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 4,672 | 29.0% |
| 2025 | 3,825 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Mito
On a 2009 Mito, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (12.8% 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 (12.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (10.8% 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 2009 Alfa Romeo Mitos pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 26,031 2009 Alfa Romeo Mito MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Alfa Romeo Mito?
Suspension, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by brakes (12.4%).
Does the 2009 Mito get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 0-30k band to 29.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 26,031 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.