2009 Hyundai Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 8,110 MOT tests, the 2009 Hyundai Coupe recorded a 69.7% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 20.2% of the time, so this is 10.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Brakes dominates the failure mix at 18.4% of all tests — 4.5 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), steering rack and position lamp — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 923 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.5% versus 12.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 29.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 18.4% | 1,492 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 1,130 |
| 3 | Steering | 8.4% | 683 |
| 4 | Suspension | 7.0% | 568 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 495 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.8% | 470 |
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) | 923 |
| 2 | Steering rack | 532 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 464 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 410 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 369 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 348 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 36.0% | 2,924 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.7% | 2,409 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.8% | 2,094 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.9% | 1,453 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.4% | 1,008 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.9% | 887 |
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 | 295 | 12.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,577 | 25.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,994 | 30.5% |
| 90-120k | 2,247 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 798 | 36.0% |
| 150k+ | 194 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,927 | 29.6% |
| 2022 | 1,784 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 1,659 | 30.5% |
| 2024 | 1,464 | 30.5% |
| 2025 | 1,276 | 32.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Coupe
On a 2009 Coupe, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (18.4% 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 (13.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (8.4% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£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 Hyundai Coupes pass their MOT?
69.7% of the 8,110 2009 Hyundai Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Hyundai Coupe?
Brakes, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.9%).
Does the 2009 Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,110 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.