2009 Chevrolet Epica — MOT failures & pass rate
432 MOT tests on the 2009 Chevrolet Epica are in this dataset, and 69.9% of them passed. That is 5.2 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (21.8%) and brakes (19.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 42 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 36.4% versus 23.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.6% in 2021 to 20.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.8% | 94 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.4% | 84 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.3% | 36 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.9% | 34 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 33 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.9% | 30 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 42 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 36 |
| 3 | Joints | 35 |
| 4 | Steering rack | 33 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 29 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 42.8% | 185 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.2% | 113 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.4% | 101 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.7% | 98 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 68 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.8% | 51 |
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 | 52 | 23.1% |
| 60-90k | 132 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 132 | 31.8% |
| 120-150k | 88 | 36.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 384 | 29.9% |
| Petrol | 48 | 31.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 147 | 32.6% |
| 2022 | 115 | 29.6% |
| 2023 | 76 | 28.9% |
| 2024 | 60 | 31.7% |
| 2025 | 34 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Epica
On a 2009 Epica, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (19.4% 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.
- Suspension (8.3% 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.
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 Chevrolet Epicas pass their MOT?
69.9% of the 432 2009 Chevrolet Epica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Chevrolet Epica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.8% of tests, followed by brakes (19.4%).
Does the 2009 Epica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.1% in the 30-60k band to 36.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 432 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.