2009 Vauxhall Vxr8 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Vauxhall Vxr8 passed 89.2% of its 1,056 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 25.4% of the time, so this is 14.6pp better 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 (4.5%) and suspension (4.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, catalyst emissions and anti-lock braking system — position lamp alone was recorded 22 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2009 Vxr8 fails 9.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.7% at 120-150k, a spread of only 2.2 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 14.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 9.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 47 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.0% | 42 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.9% | 41 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 24 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.2% | 23 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.6% | 17 |
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 | 22 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 16 |
| 3 | Anti-lock braking system | 15 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 15 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 13 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 13 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 14.3% | 151 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.0% | 137 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.3% | 119 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 37 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 35 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.0% | 32 |
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 | 91 | 9.9% |
| 30-60k | 403 | 12.4% |
| 60-90k | 359 | 8.9% |
| 90-120k | 133 | 14.3% |
| 120-150k | 52 | 7.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 219 | 9.6% |
| 2022 | 219 | 10.5% |
| 2023 | 215 | 7.4% |
| 2024 | 202 | 10.9% |
| 2025 | 201 | 15.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Vxr8
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 4.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (4.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (4.0% 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 (3.9% 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 Vxr8s pass their MOT?
89.2% of the 1,056 2009 Vauxhall Vxr8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Vauxhall Vxr8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by suspension (4.0%).
Does the 2009 Vxr8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 0-30k band to 7.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,056 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.