2009 Nissan Pickup — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Nissan Pickup passed 70.1% of its 499 recorded MOT tests. That is 4.6 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.8% of all tests — 4.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, tread depth and ball joint — position lamp alone was recorded 43 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.0% in the 30-60k band and 28.7% in the 150k+ band, a 8.7-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 34.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.8% in 2021 to 26.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 84 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.0% | 60 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 59 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.2% | 56 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.6% | 48 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 39 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 43 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 38 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 34 |
| 4 | Washers | 34 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 32 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 30 |
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 | 34.7% | 173 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.7% | 173 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 30.9% | 154 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.8% | 94 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.6% | 88 |
| 6 | Steering | 11.2% | 56 |
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 | 40 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 102 | 24.5% |
| 90-120k | 170 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 98 | 33.7% |
| 150k+ | 80 | 28.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 129 | 31.8% |
| 2022 | 112 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 104 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 90 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 64 | 26.6% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Pickup
On a 2009 Pickup, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.8% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Nissan Pickups pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 499 2009 Nissan Pickup MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Nissan Pickup?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by suspension (12.0%).
Does the 2009 Pickup get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 28.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 499 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.