2009 Nissan Serena — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,004 MOT tests, the 2009 Nissan Serena recorded an 83.5% pass rate. That is 11.3 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 27.8%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.3% of all tests — 7.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and track rod end — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 62 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 19.1% versus 12.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 123 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.5% | 45 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.5% | 35 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.5% | 35 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.5% | 35 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.4% | 24 |
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 | 62 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 38 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 34 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 33 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 23 |
| 6 | Wipers | 20 |
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 | 19.3% | 194 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.1% | 192 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.9% | 170 |
| 4 | Steering | 11.3% | 113 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.5% | 95 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 81 |
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 | 230 | 12.2% |
| 60-90k | 476 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 223 | 21.5% |
| 120-150k | 42 | 19.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 122 | 13.9% |
| 2022 | 171 | 14.6% |
| 2023 | 223 | 15.3% |
| 2024 | 243 | 16.9% |
| 2025 | 245 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Serena
On a 2009 Serena, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.5% 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 (3.5% 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 Serenas pass their MOT?
83.5% of the 1,004 2009 Nissan Serena MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Nissan Serena?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by suspension (4.5%).
Does the 2009 Serena get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.2% in the 30-60k band to 19.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,004 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.