2009 Kia Magentis — MOT failures & pass rate
859 MOT tests on the 2009 Kia Magentis are in this dataset, and 71.6% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 25.2% of the time, so this is 3.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.8%) and suspension (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and service brake performance — headlamp alone was recorded 75 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 Magentis fails 27.7% of the time in the 30-60k band and 30.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.6 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 127 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 113 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 109 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.6% | 57 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.1% | 44 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.1% | 35 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 75 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 65 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 55 |
| 4 | Suspension arm | 45 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 41 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 36 |
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 | 37.8% | 325 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.3% | 303 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.7% | 255 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.0% | 103 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 72 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.0% | 69 |
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 | 159 | 27.7% |
| 60-90k | 313 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 216 | 30.6% |
| 120-150k | 108 | 29.6% |
| 150k+ | 43 | 30.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 484 | 27.9% |
| Petrol | 375 | 29.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 225 | 24.0% |
| 2022 | 204 | 28.4% |
| 2023 | 173 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 141 | 29.8% |
| 2025 | 116 | 31.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Magentis
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.2% 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.
- Brakes (12.7% 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.
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 Kia Magentiss pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 859 2009 Kia Magentis MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Kia Magentis?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 2009 Magentis get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.7% in the 30-60k band to 30.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 859 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.