2009 Nissan Note MOT pass rate: 66.2% (43,795 tests)
Is the 2009 Note getting worse?
Pass rate of 2009-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 67.1% +0.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 65.9% -0.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 65.5% -0.6 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2009 Note
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14,704 | 34.9% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11,936 | 28.4% |
| 3 | Brakes | 4,036 | 9.6% |
| 4 | Tyres | 3,677 | 8.7% |
| 5 | Visibility | 2,593 | 6.2% |
| 6 | Body, chassis, structure | 1,814 | 4.3% |
All Note years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 25,581 | 61.9% | -2.5 pts | 101,645 |
| 2007 | 34,621 | 63.1% | -2.1 pts | 97,492 |
| 2008 | 44,364 | 64.6% | -0.5 pts | 94,368 |
| 2009 (this page) | 43,795 | 66.2% | -0.2 pts | 87,655 |
| 2010 | 41,728 | 66.5% | -0.9 pts | 84,491 |
| 2011 | 35,382 | 67.6% | -1.5 pts | 78,054 |
| 2012 | 34,688 | 68.7% | -2.6 pts | 70,445 |
| 2013 | 34,963 | 73.1% | -0.2 pts | 65,512 |
| 2014 | 64,692 | 81.0% | +5.2 pts | 58,441 |
| 2015 | 44,362 | 85.3% | +6.6 pts | 50,570 |
| 2016 | 31,930 | 87.9% | +6.5 pts | 41,750 |
| 2017 | 15,389 | 88.1% | +4.1 pts | 38,195 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Nissan Note years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2009 Nissan Note reliable?
2009-registered examples passed 66.2% of their MOT tests (43,795 tests, 2023–2025), -0.2 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 17 years old with a median 87,655 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2009 Note?
The median tested example shows 87,655 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2009 Note?
In this cohort petrols pass 67.3% of tests against 59.2% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.