2009 Toyota Unclassified — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 727 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Toyota Unclassified, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 82.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 20.6% in the 150k+ group versus 14.7% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 92 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.1% | 52 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.1% | 37 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 19 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 19 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.6% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 43 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 33 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 30 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 22 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 16 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 23.7% | 172 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.3% | 155 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.5% | 127 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 10.3% | 75 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.1% | 59 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 24 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 143 | 14.7% |
| 60-90k | 257 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 136 | 19.9% |
| 120-150k | 79 | 19.0% |
| 150k+ | 97 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 497 | 18.1% |
| Hybrid | 144 | 11.8% |
| Diesel | 73 | 23.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80 | 21.3% |
| 2022 | 117 | 17.9% |
| 2023 | 161 | 17.4% |
| 2024 | 168 | 12.5% |
| 2025 | 201 | 18.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Unclassified
Before buying a 2009 Toyota Unclassified, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.1% 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 (5.1% 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 Toyota Unclassifieds pass their MOT?
82.8% of the 727 2009 Toyota Unclassified MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Toyota Unclassified?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by suspension (7.1%).
Does the 2009 Unclassified get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.7% in the 30-60k band to 20.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 727 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.