2009 Fiat Qubo — MOT failures & pass rate
3,160 MOT tests on the 2009 Fiat Qubo are in this dataset, and 72.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (27.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 17.1% of tests against 12.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, coil spring and headlamp aim — shock absorbers alone was recorded 228 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 26.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.3% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.1% | 540 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.6% | 399 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.2% | 195 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 178 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.1% | 161 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.5% | 141 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 228 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 180 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 175 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 123 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 120 |
| 6 | Wipers | 95 |
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 | 32.8% | 1,035 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.9% | 945 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.5% | 615 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 453 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.4% | 422 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 300 |
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 | 185 | 26.5% |
| 30-60k | 500 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 980 | 27.1% |
| 90-120k | 879 | 29.2% |
| 120-150k | 393 | 32.3% |
| 150k+ | 144 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,668 | 27.7% |
| Petrol | 492 | 28.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 726 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 705 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 653 | 27.9% |
| 2024 | 576 | 28.8% |
| 2025 | 500 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Qubo
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 17.1% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (17.1% 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 (12.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.2% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 Qubos pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 3,160 2009 Fiat Qubo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Fiat Qubo?
Suspension, recorded in 17.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.6%).
Does the 2009 Qubo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.5% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,160 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.