2009 Honda Fit — MOT failures & pass rate
293 MOT tests on the 2009 Honda Fit are in this dataset, and 82.3% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 26.0% of the time, so this is 8.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.2% of tests against 6.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and headlamp aim — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 31 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.4% in 2022 to 16.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.2% | 62 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.8% | 20 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.7% | 8 |
| 4 | Steering | 2.4% | 7 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.4% | 7 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.7% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 31 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 24 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 15 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 14 |
| 6 | Wipers | 9 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 18.8% | 55 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 46 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.6% | 37 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.9% | 29 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.1% | 15 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.1% | 15 |
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 | 136 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 102 | 14.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 44 | 20.4% |
| 2023 | 69 | 18.8% |
| 2024 | 81 | 17.3% |
| 2025 | 81 | 16.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Fit
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.8% 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.
- Visibility (2.7% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 Honda Fits pass their MOT?
82.3% of the 293 2009 Honda Fit MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Honda Fit?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.2% of tests, followed by suspension (6.8%).
Does the 2009 Fit get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.3% in the 30-60k band to 14.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 293 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.