2009 Vauxhall Vivaro — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Vauxhall Vivaro passed 67.7% of its 30,861 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 28.1% of the time, so this is 4.1pp 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 (20.1%) and suspension (18.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, ball joint and rbt (sp) — track rod end alone was recorded 3,219 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 Vivaro fails 29.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 32.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.7 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.1% | 6,193 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.6% | 5,738 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.2% | 4,985 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.7% | 2,985 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.6% | 2,354 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 1,746 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 3,219 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 2,959 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 2,513 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 2,406 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 2,187 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 1,742 |
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 | 40.9% | 12,629 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.7% | 9,170 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.0% | 7,711 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.8% | 5,787 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.5% | 4,791 |
| 6 | Visibility | 10.7% | 3,304 |
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 | 117 | 29.9% |
| 30-60k | 801 | 22.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,044 | 29.0% |
| 90-120k | 6,060 | 32.2% |
| 120-150k | 7,948 | 33.9% |
| 150k+ | 12,859 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,131 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 6,832 | 31.5% |
| 2023 | 6,379 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 5,615 | 32.9% |
| 2025 | 4,904 | 32.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Vivaro
On a 2009 Vivaro, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.6% 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 (16.2% 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 Vauxhall Vivaros pass their MOT?
67.7% of the 30,861 2009 Vauxhall Vivaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Vauxhall Vivaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.1% of tests, followed by suspension (18.6%).
Does the 2009 Vivaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.9% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 30,861 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.