Nissan common problems and MOT failures
From 2,707,377 MOT tests in 2024, 20.2% of Nissan vehicles failed. Below are the most common reasons, ranked by how often they occur.
Top Nissan MOT failure reasons
| # | Problem | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | suspension pin, bush or joint worn | 189,157 |
| 2 | steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 64,130 |
| 3 | tyre tread depth outside legal limits | 57,983 |
| 4 | brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 53,277 |
| 5 | lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 52,389 |
| 6 | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 43,117 |
| 7 | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits the requirements | 41,554 |
| 8 | tyre seriously damaged | 38,711 |
| 9 | spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 37,926 |
| 10 | transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 34,570 |
What this means if you're buying a Nissan
The single most common MOT failure for Nissan is suspension pin, bush or joint worn, accounting for 31% of all failure items. Suspension repairs typically cost £150–£400 depending on the component.
These figures are from real MOT inspections — they show what testers actually find wrong with Nissan vehicles. If you're viewing a used Nissan, it's worth checking these areas specifically.
Nissan models by MOT pass rate
Lowest pass rates first — these models have the most testable issues.
Buying a specific Nissan? Check the individual vehicle's MOT history for free on GOV.UK to see its actual test results, advisories, and mileage readings.
Check MOT history on GOV.UK