Ford Mustang (2009)

145 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.7% first-time pass rate

2009 Ford Mustang

CarHunch analysed 145 real MOT records for the 2009 Ford Mustang. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2009 Mustang punches above its weight with an 86.7% first-time pass rate, well clear of the UK average of 80%, and only 13.1% of vehicles have ever recorded a dangerous defect—a reassuringly low figure for a 15-year-old American muscle car. Petrol examples (which make up virtually all of the cohort) maintain that strong 86.9% pass rate consistently.

These Mustangs are running at a sensible 50,288 miles median—lower than you'd expect for their age—suggesting owners have treated them as weekend toys rather than daily drivers. The average of 1.27 failures and 7.1 advisories per test indicates minor wear items rather than structural problems, so budget for routine maintenance but don't expect major shocks; have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension and exhaust components, where American cars of this era typically show first signs of age.

Generally reliable 6.7% above UK average
86.7%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
50,288
typical mileage
21,425–76,462 middle half
13.1%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
1.27
avg MOT failures per car
over 8.7 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2009 Ford Mustang

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Ford Mustang

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 144 86.9% 1.24
LPG (1%) 1 62.5% 6

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Ford Mustang vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

21,425
low mileage
50,288
typical
76,462
high mileage

Half of all 2009 Ford Mustang vehicles fall between 21,425 and 76,462 miles.

2009 Ford Mustang — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 88 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 95% of the peak.

66 88 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

8.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
1.27
Avg failures per vehicle
7.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2009 Ford Mustang

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 16.7%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 15.3%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 14.6%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 14.4%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 13.9%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 12.2%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 11.8%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 11%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Ford Mustang?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Ford Mustang:

1994 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022