2009 Vauxhall Vectra — MOT failures & pass rate
14,035 MOT tests on the 2009 Vauxhall Vectra are in this dataset, and 71.0% of them passed. That is 4.2 percentage points worse than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.8%. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.6%) and brakes (13.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, rigid brake pipes and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 1,180 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 18.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.0% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.8pp more often than petrol ones (29.6% vs 27.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.6% | 2,183 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.0% | 1,827 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 1,795 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.6% | 930 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 848 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 782 |
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 | 1,180 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 895 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 797 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 592 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 527 |
| 6 | Wipers | 524 |
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 | 37.4% | 5,244 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.1% | 5,065 |
| 3 | Tyres | 30.1% | 4,220 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 2,246 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 2,025 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.5% | 1,755 |
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 | 109 | 18.4% |
| 30-60k | 951 | 23.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,931 | 27.1% |
| 90-120k | 4,404 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 3,276 | 29.7% |
| 150k+ | 2,359 | 31.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,261 | 29.6% |
| Petrol | 4,774 | 27.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,059 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 3,337 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 2,779 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 2,199 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 1,661 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Vectra
On a 2009 Vectra, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.6% 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 (13.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% 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 Vectras pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 14,035 2009 Vauxhall Vectra MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Vauxhall Vectra?
Suspension, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by brakes (13.0%).
Does the 2009 Vectra get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,035 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.