Used car guide

2009 Dodge Journey: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Dodge Journeys, from 151 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 151 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

151MOT tests in 2025
50%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
6,400typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Dodge Journeys than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
    Dodge Journey
    27.8% All 2009 cars
    11.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint3.3× usual
    Dodge Journey
    21.9% All 2009 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.6%, against 3.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

By area

The share of 2009 Dodge Journey MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    56% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    39% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Steering
    11% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010206Suspension 60%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Dodge Journeys registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score