2009 Nissan Note — MOT failures & pass rate
99,771 MOT tests on the 2009 Nissan Note are in this dataset, and 74.8% of them passed. Superminis of a similar age fail at 26.2%, so the 2009 Note sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.6%) and suspension (16.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, coil spring and stop lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 7,408 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.8% in the 0-30k band and 32.1% in the 150k+ band, a 19.3-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.9pp more often than petrol ones (29.3% vs 24.4%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 30.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 24.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 17,517 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.7% | 16,633 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.1% | 5,094 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.8% | 4,741 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.6% | 4,597 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 2,526 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 7,408 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 7,220 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 7,150 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 6,870 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 6,471 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 5,620 |
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 | 30.8% | 30,735 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.3% | 27,282 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.8% | 18,759 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 11,144 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.2% | 9,193 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 6,767 |
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 | 2,397 | 12.8% |
| 30-60k | 19,188 | 19.3% |
| 60-90k | 34,501 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 27,093 | 28.2% |
| 120-150k | 11,684 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 4,878 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 84,798 | 24.4% |
| Diesel | 14,965 | 29.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,047 | 24.3% |
| 2022 | 20,616 | 24.4% |
| 2023 | 20,153 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 19,502 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 18,453 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Note
On a 2009 Note, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.7% 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 (5.1% 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 Nissan Notes pass their MOT?
74.8% of the 99,771 2009 Nissan Note MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Nissan Note?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.6% of tests, followed by suspension (16.7%).
Does the 2009 Note get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.8% in the 0-30k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 99,771 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.