2009 Morgan +4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 362 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Morgan +4, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility. Its pass rate of 92.0% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.8%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 16 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.3% | 12 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.8% | 10 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.7% | 6 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 5 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 8 |
| 2 | Washers | 8 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 7 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 4 |
| 5 | Wipers | 4 |
| 6 | King pins | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.9% | 25 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.5% | 20 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.1% | 15 |
| 4 | Steering | 1.9% | 7 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 5 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.1% | 4 |
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 | 269 | 7.1% |
| 30-60k | 82 | 12.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 2.8% |
| 2022 | 75 | 9.3% |
| 2023 | 69 | 7.2% |
| 2024 | 66 | 7.6% |
| 2025 | 80 | 12.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 +4
Before buying a 2009 Morgan +4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 4.4% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (4.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.3% 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.
- Visibility (2.8% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 Morgan +4s pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 362 2009 Morgan +4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Morgan +4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by brakes (3.3%).
Does the 2009 +4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.1% in the 0-30k band to 12.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 362 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.