Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Vauxhall Tigra?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 Vauxhall Tigra?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 Vauxhall Tigra?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 Vauxhall Tigra vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

60% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra reliable?

Based on MOT data from 2,803 vehicles, the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra has a first-time MOT pass rate of 74.1%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra are: Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (59.9% of vehicles), Oil leak, but not excessive (55.7% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (51.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Vauxhall Tigra?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Vauxhall Tigra (2009)

2,803 real MOT outcomes analysed • 74.1% first-time pass rate

2009 Vauxhall Tigra

CarHunch analysed 2,803 real MOT records for the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 Vauxhall Tigra is a below-average performer in the MOT, with a first-time pass rate of 74.1% compared to the UK average of 80%, and this is compounded by a concerning 60.4% of vehicles having experienced a dangerous defect at some point. These defects are serious safety issues, not minor wear items, so buyers should approach this model with caution and insist on a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

At nearly 50,000 miles median age, these Tigras are running at typical mileage for their age, yet they're clocking up an average of 4.33 failures and 22.8 advisories per test, suggesting both acute problems and chronic neglect are common. Get a full MOT history check before buying and factor in regular maintenance costs; this generation Tigra demands attention to stay roadworthy.

The 2009 Vauxhall Tigra has a below-average first-time pass rate (74.1% vs ~80% UK average) — check the specific vehicle's full MOT history carefully before buying.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

74.1%

UK average ~80%

Below average

Dangerous (ever)

60.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

4.33

Over 15.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

48k

Middle half: 37k–61k

For context

⚠️ Below average. More vehicles in this cohort fail their first MOT than typical. Scrutinise this vehicle's history — look for recurring issues, not just the latest result.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 22.8 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 2,803 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Buyer beware — pass it on

What tends to go wrong

Across 2,803 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 59.9%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Parking brake efficiency below requirements · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 55.7%

Oil leak, but not excessive

Tyre wear 51.7%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Exhaust & emissions 34.9%

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases · Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 2,803 Vauxhall Tigra cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Vauxhall Tigra

Based on MOT data from 2,803 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 60.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (97%)	2,719	74.2%	4.32
Diesel (3%)	83	69.9%	4.92

Colour Breakdown

Based on 57,060 Vauxhall Tigra vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 34.1%

19,445

Silver 20%

11,426

Black 18.5%

10,566

Red 10.8%

6,149

Green 9.1%

5,210

Gold 2.6%

1,459

Yellow 2.3%

1,291

Grey 1.7%

994

Purple 0.4%

244

Orange 0.2%

125

Pink 0.2%

Bronze 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

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

47,984

typical

36,763

low mileage

60,822

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Vauxhall Tigra vehicles fall between 36,763 and 60,822 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 36,763 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 36,763–60,822 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Vauxhall Tigras sit.

⚠ Over 82,109 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Vauxhall Tigra — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 46% of 2009 Vauxhall Tigras are still active.

Numbers are declining — 1,245 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (46% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

15.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

4.33

Avg failures per vehicle

22.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Vauxhall Tigra: All Tigra years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Vauxhall Tigra stacks up against a rival.

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