2009 Renault Trafic — MOT failures & pass rate
22,412 MOT tests on the 2009 Renault Trafic are in this dataset, and 68.5% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 28.1% of the time, so this is 3.4pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.9%) and suspension (18.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, track rod end and rbt (sp) — ball joint alone was recorded 2,218 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 23.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.2% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 4,247 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.1% | 4,062 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.6% | 3,486 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.3% | 2,077 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 1,571 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 1,347 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 2,218 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 2,202 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 1,684 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,593 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,500 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 1,173 |
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 | 39.9% | 8,934 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.7% | 6,438 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.1% | 5,186 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 16.6% | 3,717 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.3% | 2,988 |
| 6 | Visibility | 11.1% | 2,490 |
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 | 100 | 23.0% |
| 30-60k | 651 | 23.8% |
| 60-90k | 2,299 | 28.7% |
| 90-120k | 4,511 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 5,243 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 9,576 | 32.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,114 | 31.2% |
| 2022 | 4,913 | 31.2% |
| 2023 | 4,577 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 4,122 | 31.9% |
| 2025 | 3,686 | 32.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Trafic
On a 2009 Trafic, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.1% 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 (15.6% 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 Trafics pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 22,412 2009 Renault Trafic MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Renault Trafic?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (18.1%).
Does the 2009 Trafic get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.0% in the 0-30k band to 32.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,412 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.