Used car guide

2009 Volkswagen Jetta: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Volkswagen Jettas, from 865 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

865MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
7,100typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Volkswagen Jettas than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Suspension arm3.4× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    13.3% All 2009 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.4% 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    14.1% All 2009 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Headlights1.8× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    15.3% All 2009 cars
    8.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 3.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Side repeaters2.5× usual
    Volkswagen Jetta
    3.7% All 2009 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Better than most

Exhaust system: 3.2% here, against 8.4% of all 2009 cars. Sidelights: 2.8% here, against 7.2% of all 2009 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    50% 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.

  • Tyres
    36% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    27% 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.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    14% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    10% 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.

Looking at a Volkswagen Jetta?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2016717Tyres 29%
20151,059Suspension 32%
2014906Suspension 39%
2013965Suspension 43%
20121,070Suspension 44%
2011801Suspension 48%
2010569Suspension 45%
20081,252Suspension 51%
20071,566Suspension 53%
20061,057Suspension 52%

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