2009 Renault Kangoo — MOT failures & pass rate
15,937 MOT tests on the 2009 Renault Kangoo are in this dataset, and 69.6% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 28.2% of the time, so this is 2.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.3% of all tests — 4.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are joints, track rod end and rigid brake pipes — joints alone was recorded 1,393 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.9% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 5.3pp more often than petrol ones (32.4% vs 27.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 2,603 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.4% | 1,971 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.5% | 1,825 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 1,573 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.6% | 1,362 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.6% | 1,208 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 1,393 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 1,206 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,088 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 908 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 834 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 822 |
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 | 39.3% | 6,265 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.3% | 4,509 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 3,075 |
| 4 | Suspension | 18.0% | 2,868 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.3% | 1,795 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 1,667 |
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 | 872 | 20.1% |
| 30-60k | 3,074 | 25.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,538 | 29.3% |
| 90-120k | 3,310 | 33.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,588 | 34.0% |
| 150k+ | 2,551 | 33.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,964 | 32.4% |
| Petrol | 5,973 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,588 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 3,437 | 30.5% |
| 2023 | 3,277 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 2,962 | 30.8% |
| 2025 | 2,673 | 30.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Kangoo
On a 2009 Kangoo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.4% 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.
- Suspension (11.5% 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.
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 Renault Kangoos pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 15,937 2009 Renault Kangoo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Renault Kangoo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by brakes (12.4%).
Does the 2009 Kangoo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.1% in the 0-30k band to 33.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,937 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.