2009 Citroen Dispatch — MOT failures & pass rate
12,139 MOT tests on the 2009 Citroen Dispatch are in this dataset, and 70.3% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 28.1% of the time, so this is 1.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.9% of all tests — 8.7 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, joints and ball joint — position lamp alone was recorded 1,356 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.5% in the 0-30k band and 32.4% in the 150k+ band, a 9.8-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 29.7% of the time against 29.7% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 28.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.9% | 2,652 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.1% | 1,594 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 1,504 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.2% | 1,242 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.1% | 984 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 670 |
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 | 1,356 |
| 2 | Joints | 1,215 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 820 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 765 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 656 |
| 6 | Washers | 560 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 28.7% | 3,483 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.7% | 3,241 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.3% | 3,070 |
| 4 | Brakes | 25.2% | 3,056 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.3% | 2,341 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 2,272 |
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 | 120 | 22.5% |
| 30-60k | 555 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,603 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,743 | 29.1% |
| 120-150k | 2,725 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 4,365 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,534 | 29.7% |
| Petrol | 602 | 29.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,018 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 2,721 | 28.6% |
| 2023 | 2,487 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 2,127 | 29.9% |
| 2025 | 1,786 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Dispatch
On a 2009 Dispatch, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.1% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Citroen Dispatchs pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 12,139 2009 Citroen Dispatch MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Citroen Dispatch?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.9% of tests, followed by suspension (13.1%).
Does the 2009 Dispatch get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.5% in the 0-30k band to 32.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 12,139 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.