2009 Fiat Multipla — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 723 MOT tests, the 2009 Fiat Multipla recorded a 68.7% pass rate. That is 6.2 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.1%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 18.1% of all tests — 4.4 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, stop lamp and ball joint — pins and bushes alone was recorded 48 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.0% in the 0-30k band and 35.9% in the 150k+ band, a 10.9-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.9% in 2021 to 30.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.1% | 131 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 99 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 58 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.9% | 57 |
| 5 | Tyres | 7.0% | 51 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 36 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 48 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 33 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 31 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 29 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 28 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 26 |
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 | 40.7% | 294 |
| 2 | Tyres | 35.0% | 253 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.7% | 164 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 107 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 103 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 102 |
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 | 32 | 25.0% |
| 30-60k | 134 | 26.1% |
| 60-90k | 205 | 34.2% |
| 90-120k | 217 | 32.3% |
| 120-150k | 96 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 39 | 35.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 212 | 34.9% |
| 2022 | 164 | 27.4% |
| 2023 | 143 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 120 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 84 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Multipla
On a 2009 Multipla, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.0% 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 Fiat Multiplas pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 723 2009 Fiat Multipla MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Fiat Multipla?
Suspension, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.7%).
Does the 2009 Multipla get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 0-30k band to 35.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 723 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.