2009 Skoda Roomster — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 7,923 MOT tests, the 2009 Skoda Roomster recorded a 73.3% pass rate. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (27.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests against 11.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, coil spring and joints — position lamp alone was recorded 566 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.6% in the 0-30k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 17.9-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 22.8% fail against 29.8% for diesel, a 7.1-point gap across 7,923 tests.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 27.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 1,206 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.9% | 944 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.1% | 642 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 541 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 467 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.9% | 305 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 566 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 438 |
| 3 | Joints | 397 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 395 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 329 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 267 |
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 | 27.9% | 2,211 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.7% | 2,198 |
| 3 | Suspension | 25.0% | 1,981 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.2% | 885 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.9% | 862 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.8% | 856 |
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 | 261 | 14.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,179 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 2,198 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 2,204 | 29.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,387 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 689 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,453 | 29.8% |
| Petrol | 3,470 | 22.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,701 | 25.8% |
| 2022 | 1,628 | 24.6% |
| 2023 | 1,615 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 1,521 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 1,458 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Roomster
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.9% 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 (8.1% 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.
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 Skoda Roomsters pass their MOT?
73.3% of the 7,923 2009 Skoda Roomster MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Skoda Roomster?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by suspension (11.9%).
Does the 2009 Roomster get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,923 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.