2009 Citroen Berlingo — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 59,178 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Citroen Berlingo, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 72.0% was in line with the average for vans of a similar age (71.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.8% in the 150k+ group versus 16.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 12,390 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.2% | 7,218 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 5,260 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.3% | 4,326 |
| 5 | Tyres | 6.1% | 3,622 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 3,374 |
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 | 4,895 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 4,701 |
| 3 | Joints | 4,397 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 3,262 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 3,090 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 2,700 |
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 | 29.4% | 17,416 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.0% | 15,380 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.5% | 13,916 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.1% | 11,879 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 10,557 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 5,932 |
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 | 595 | 16.1% |
| 30-60k | 4,634 | 20.8% |
| 60-90k | 11,781 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 16,720 | 28.5% |
| 120-150k | 13,112 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 12,278 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 51,968 | 28.4% |
| Petrol | 7,204 | 25.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,252 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 12,727 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 12,099 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 11,084 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 10,016 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Berlingo
Before buying a 2009 Citroen Berlingo, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.2% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 Citroen Berlingos pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 59,178 2009 Citroen Berlingo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Citroen Berlingo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by suspension (12.2%).
Does the 2009 Berlingo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.1% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 59,178 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.