2009 Vauxhall Tigra — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,979 MOT tests, the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra recorded a 70.2% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (20.1% fail rate), the 2009 Tigra comes out 9.7pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (13.8%) and suspension (13.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), coil spring and wipers — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 1,034 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.4% in the 0-30k band and 31.1% in the 120-150k band, a 7.8-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.8% | 1,657 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.8% | 1,650 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 1,432 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.2% | 869 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 668 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 534 |
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) | 1,034 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 801 |
| 3 | Wipers | 437 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 432 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 431 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 418 |
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 | 30.4% | 3,645 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.5% | 3,536 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.0% | 3,474 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.1% | 2,293 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.7% | 1,519 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.4% | 1,488 |
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 | 753 | 23.4% |
| 30-60k | 3,856 | 26.6% |
| 60-90k | 5,046 | 31.4% |
| 90-120k | 1,903 | 33.7% |
| 120-150k | 260 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 11,658 | 29.8% |
| Diesel | 321 | 30.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,016 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 2,710 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 2,458 | 30.6% |
| 2024 | 2,042 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 1,753 | 30.2% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Tigra
On a 2009 Tigra, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (13.8% 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 (13.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (11.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 Vauxhall Tigras pass their MOT?
70.2% of the 11,979 2009 Vauxhall Tigra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Vauxhall Tigra?
Brakes, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (13.8%).
Does the 2009 Tigra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,979 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.