2009 Renault Modus — MOT failures & pass rate
6,606 MOT tests on the 2009 Renault Modus are in this dataset, and 72.2% of them passed. That is 1.8 percentage points worse than superminis of a similar age, which fail at 26.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.3%) and suspension (15.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and track rod end — coil spring alone was recorded 660 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.1% versus 14.7%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.7% fail against 30.4% for diesel, a 3.7-point gap across 6,606 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 30.4% 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 | 16.3% | 1,074 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.2% | 1,004 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.2% | 406 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.0% | 399 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 346 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.5% | 295 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 660 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 508 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 450 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 327 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 298 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 278 |
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 | 30.4% | 2,010 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.7% | 1,829 |
| 3 | Suspension | 17.1% | 1,127 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.3% | 810 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.2% | 803 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.6% | 435 |
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 | 436 | 14.7% |
| 30-60k | 2,086 | 23.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,402 | 29.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,241 | 33.2% |
| 120-150k | 330 | 35.8% |
| 150k+ | 103 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 4,680 | 26.7% |
| Diesel | 1,926 | 30.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,509 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 1,407 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 1,356 | 27.8% |
| 2024 | 1,247 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 1,087 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Modus
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.3% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Suspension (15.2% 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.
- Brakes (6.2% 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.
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 Moduss pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 6,606 2009 Renault Modus MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Renault Modus?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by suspension (15.2%).
Does the 2009 Modus get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.7% in the 0-30k band to 31.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,606 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.