2009 Dodge Nitro — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,798 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Dodge Nitro, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 70.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.0% in the 150k+ group versus 25.5% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 20.9% | 585 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.3% | 511 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.2% | 313 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.9% | 138 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 120 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.9% | 110 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 301 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 262 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 186 |
| 4 | Parking brake performance | 154 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 142 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 140 |
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 | 27.1% | 759 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.2% | 732 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.1% | 646 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 410 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.9% | 277 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.5% | 265 |
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 | 255 | 25.5% |
| 60-90k | 924 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,019 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 446 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 137 | 35.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 663 | 30.3% |
| 2022 | 640 | 30.0% |
| 2023 | 566 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 503 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 426 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Nitro
Before buying a 2009 Dodge Nitro, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 20.9% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (20.9% 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 (18.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% 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 Dodge Nitros pass their MOT?
70.6% of the 2,798 2009 Dodge Nitro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Dodge Nitro?
Brakes, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.3%).
Does the 2009 Nitro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.5% in the 30-60k band to 35.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,798 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.