Which Nissan models fail their MOT most
27.7% of Nissan cars fail first time, against 24.5% across every make. That is 3.2 points worse than average, measured over 1,265,224 DVSA tests on 17 models.
Every Nissan in the data
Sorted by how many tests each one contributes, so the models most people actually buy come first. A linked row has a page of its own.
| Model | Years | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qashqai | 2014–2017 | 220,103 | 22% |
| Qashqai | 2010–2013 | 153,647 | 45.9% |
| Juke | 2014–2017 | 150,383 | 27.1% |
| Qashqai | 2018–2021 | 132,524 | 12.5% |
| Juke | 2010–2013 | 86,541 | 43.2% |
| Note | 2014–2017 | 53,156 | 18.6% |
| Micra | 2010–2013 | 52,154 | 35.4% |
| Note | 2010–2013 | 50,764 | 39.1% |
| Micra | 2014–2017 | 50,757 | 24.4% |
| X-Trail | 2014–2017 | 44,376 | 23.6% |
| Juke | 2018–2021 | 41,636 | 16.7% |
| Navara | 2014–2017 | 24,823 | 30.3% |
| Micra | 2018–2021 | 24,374 | 14.1% |
| Navara | 2018–2021 | 20,803 | 21.3% |
| X-Trail | 2018–2021 | 19,653 | 14.4% |
| Pulsar | 2014–2017 | 19,394 | 25.2% |
| Leaf | 2018–2021 | 17,906 | 10.4% |
| Leaf | 2014–2017 | 16,107 | 25.5% |
| Navara | 2010–2013 | 13,680 | 42.3% |
| NV200 | 2014–2017 | 12,815 | 40.5% |
| NV200 | 2010–2013 | 10,416 | 48.2% |
| Pixo | 2010–2013 | 8,607 | 33.2% |
| X-Trail | 2010–2013 | 6,834 | 40.3% |
| Juke N-Connecta Dig-T | 2018–2021 | 5,465 | 10.9% |
| E-NV200 | 2018–2021 | 4,447 | 25.9% |
| Juke N-Connecta Dig-T S-A | 2018–2021 | 3,583 | 9.5% |
| Juke Tekna Dig-T | 2018–2021 | 3,178 | 8.6% |
| Juke Tekna Dig-T S-A | 2018–2021 | 2,987 | 8.9% |
| NV200 | 2018–2021 | 2,903 | 31.6% |
| Primastar | 2010–2013 | 2,544 | 53.6% |
| Elgrand | 2018–2021 | 2,300 | 33.9% |
| Leaf | 2010–2013 | 2,231 | 36.2% |
| Elgrand | 2014–2017 | 2,105 | 39.9% |
| Pulsar | 2018–2021 | 2,028 | 12.5% |
How a Nissan ages
The same manufacturer at three ages. Every make gets worse with age; what differs is how steeply, and that is the part worth knowing before you choose between a cheaper older one and a dearer newer one.
2018–2021
14.3%
283,787 tests
2014–2017
24.3%
594,019 tests
2010–2013
42.5%
387,418 tests
Best and worst in the range
Least likely to fail
- 10.4% Leaf 2018–2021
- 10.9% Juke N-Connecta Dig-T 2018–2021
- 12.5% Qashqai 2018–2021
Most likely to fail
- 48.2% NV200 2010–2013
- 45.9% Qashqai 2010–2013
- 43.2% Juke 2010–2013
Cohorts with at least 5,000 tests only, so a rare model cannot top either list on thin evidence.
What actually fails on a Nissan
Pooled across the whole range and weighted by test count. One model's worst fault is a fact about that model; the same fault across the range is a fact about the make.
- 4.1% Suspension arms ball joint excessively worn
- 2.6% Brake linings and pads less than 1.5 mm thick
- 2.4% Steering linkage components ball joint has excessive play
- 1.9% Tyres tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
- 1.8% Suspension arms pin or bush excessively worn
- 1.6% Visibility does not clear the windscreen effectively
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Check the actual Nissan you're looking at
This page is the make. Type the registration and you get that car's own MOT history, its mileage record, its tax status and the questions to ask the seller before you travel.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023. Class 4 standard tests only. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Nissan and its marks are the property of their owner and are used here to identify the manufacturer this page is about.