2009 Nissan Tiida — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,994 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Nissan Tiida, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.0% was below the average for cars of a similar age (76.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 37.0% in the 120-150k group versus 25.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.6% | 391 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 17.3% | 346 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.6% | 251 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.9% | 138 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 115 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.2% | 103 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 192 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 183 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 144 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 137 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 99 |
| 6 | Wipers | 87 |
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 | 38.0% | 757 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.9% | 756 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.5% | 568 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.0% | 339 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 220 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.8% | 215 |
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 | 84 | 25.0% |
| 30-60k | 443 | 28.7% |
| 60-90k | 857 | 31.9% |
| 90-120k | 447 | 35.4% |
| 120-150k | 138 | 37.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 479 | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 436 | 30.5% |
| 2023 | 412 | 32.0% |
| 2024 | 362 | 32.9% |
| 2025 | 305 | 34.4% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Tiida
Before buying a 2009 Nissan Tiida, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 19.6% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (19.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (17.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.6% 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 Nissan Tiidas pass their MOT?
68.0% of the 1,994 2009 Nissan Tiida MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Nissan Tiida?
Suspension, recorded in 19.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (17.3%).
Does the 2009 Tiida get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 0-30k band to 37.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,994 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.