Nissan Navara: what fails at MOT
125,000 MOT tests on the Nissan Navara in 2024, counted. 27.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
27.8% of Nissan Navara tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 22.4%, so the Navara does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7.2% of tests), suspension (6.5% of tests) and brakes (4.4% of tests). It fails on suspension, body and structure and exhaust and emissions more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,308 | 13.5% | 10.9% | 36,900 25,500 to 54,200 |
| 2020 | 9,495 | 17.0% | 11.5% | 46,400 32,700 to 65,900 |
| 2019 | 13,588 | 18.8% | 13.4% | 56,000 39,700 to 78,400 |
| 2018 | 13,583 | 23.1% | 15.6% | 66,900 48,600 to 91,200 |
| 2017 | 14,656 | 27.9% | 18.2% | 75,400 55,500 to 100,300 |
| 2016 | 12,908 | 24.1% | 21.3% | 85,200 63,800 to 110,100 |
| 2015 | 5,946 | 33.4% | 24.4% | 92,700 70,300 to 120,200 |
| 2014 | 5,392 | 37.0% | 27.7% | 99,300 76,200 to 127,700 |
| 2013 | 5,356 | 37.6% | 30.6% | 110,300 87,100 to 137,900 |
| 2012 | 5,251 | 42.7% | 33.4% | 119,900 93,800 to 146,400 |
| 2011 | 6,453 | 40.3% | 36.1% | 129,100 101,900 to 157,500 |
| 2010 | 2,864 | 40.1% | 38.6% | 129,000 102,900 to 157,700 |
| 2009 | 2,752 | 42.4% | 39.8% | 120,200 96,900 to 148,000 |
| 2008 | 2,780 | 41.6% | 41.5% | 129,700 104,100 to 154,200 |
| 2007 | 3,516 | 42.2% | 41.5% | 128,300 102,500 to 153,600 |
| 2006 | 2,933 | 40.7% | 42.4% | 140,400 109,700 to 170,300 |
| 2005 | 1,848 | 43.7% | 42.2% | 135,300 105,500 to 165,000 |
| 2004 | 986 | 42.7% | 42.3% | 120,900 95,900 to 148,000 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Nissan Navara tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Navara | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 7.2% | 5.6% |
| Suspension More than most | 6.5% | 4.3% |
| Brakes | 4.4% | 3.5% |
| Body and structure More than most | 3.4% | 1.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.1% | 2.6% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 3.0% | 1.6% |
| Tyres Less than most | 2.1% | 3.9% |
| Steering More than most | 2.0% | 0.9% |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring2.6%
- Engine warning light2.4%
- Side light2.1%
- Track rod end1.7%
- Washers1.7%
- Headlamp aim1.7%
- Ball joint1.6%
- Tyre tread1.4%
- Wipers1.4%
- Brake pads1.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.6%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.4%
- Side light: not working1.9%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.6%
- Ball joint: excessively worn1.5%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.0%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.9%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.6%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.6%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.7%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.4%
- Ball joint: has slight play3.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.9%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases1.5%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
Check a Nissan Navara's own MOT record
Looking at a Navara? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.