2009 Renault Master — MOT failures & pass rate
4,940 MOT tests on the 2009 Renault Master are in this dataset, and 73.6% of them passed. That is 1.8 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 28.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.5%) and brakes (14.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), ball joint and service brake performance — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 431 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.9% in the 0-30k band and 29.8% in the 150k+ band, a 11.9-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 28.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 717 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.1% | 699 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.4% | 417 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.5% | 270 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 242 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.7% | 183 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 431 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 289 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 247 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 234 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 221 |
| 6 | Wipers | 206 |
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 | 28.6% | 1,413 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.7% | 1,123 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.4% | 812 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 593 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.9% | 438 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 397 |
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 | 357 | 17.9% |
| 30-60k | 864 | 20.1% |
| 60-90k | 767 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 639 | 27.4% |
| 120-150k | 732 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,528 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,026 | 25.4% |
| 2022 | 1,018 | 26.0% |
| 2023 | 995 | 26.0% |
| 2024 | 998 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 903 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Master
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.1% 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 (8.4% 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 Masters pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 4,940 2009 Renault Master MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Renault Master?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by brakes (14.1%).
Does the 2009 Master get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 0-30k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,940 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.