2009 Ford Mustang — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Ford Mustang passed 87.6% of its 541 recorded MOT tests. That is 7.9 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 20.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.1%) and suspension (3.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are individual direction indicators, catalyst emissions and track rod end — individual direction indicators alone was recorded 19 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 0.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 16.1% once past 120-150k — 161.3× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 16.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 14.5% in 2021 to 11.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.1% | 33 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.3% | 18 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 16 |
| 4 | Steering | 2.6% | 14 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 14 |
| 6 | Brakes | 2.4% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Individual direction indicators | 19 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 17 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 16 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 13 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 6 | Washers | 11 |
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 | 16.1% | 87 |
| 2 | Tyres | 9.8% | 53 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.8% | 53 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.6% | 41 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.5% | 30 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.1% | 22 |
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 | 109 | 0.0% |
| 30-60k | 195 | 14.4% |
| 60-90k | 144 | 16.7% |
| 90-120k | 55 | 16.4% |
| 120-150k | 31 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 117 | 14.5% |
| 2022 | 109 | 10.1% |
| 2023 | 106 | 13.2% |
| 2024 | 105 | 12.4% |
| 2025 | 104 | 11.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Mustang
On a 2009 Mustang, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.3% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (3.0% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Ford Mustangs pass their MOT?
87.6% of the 541 2009 Ford Mustang MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Ford Mustang?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by suspension (3.3%).
Does the 2009 Mustang get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 0.0% in the 0-30k band to 16.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 541 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.