Nissan Note: what fails at MOT
192,000 MOT tests on the Nissan Note in 2024, counted. 35.9% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
36% of Nissan Note tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 33.4%, so the Note is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (13.9% of tests), suspension (12.1% of tests) and tyres (4.4% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics and suspension 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6,547 | 15.3% | 18.2% | 38,400 26,700 to 52,700 |
| 2016 | 13,725 | 16.6% | 21.3% | 41,500 28,500 to 57,500 |
| 2015 | 18,720 | 20.2% | 24.4% | 50,300 35,800 to 67,300 |
| 2014 | 26,855 | 25.3% | 27.7% | 58,000 41,300 to 76,900 |
| 2013 | 15,044 | 33.0% | 30.6% | 63,800 46,600 to 84,300 |
| 2012 | 14,757 | 38.8% | 33.4% | 69,400 50,000 to 92,500 |
| 2011 | 14,457 | 41.9% | 36.1% | 77,700 57,600 to 100,500 |
| 2010 | 17,133 | 43.8% | 38.6% | 84,100 62,700 to 108,700 |
| 2009 | 18,461 | 44.9% | 39.8% | 87,900 66,100 to 112,600 |
| 2008 | 19,531 | 47.7% | 41.5% | 94,900 72,900 to 118,100 |
| 2007 | 15,232 | 48.9% | 41.5% | 98,300 75,300 to 122,100 |
| 2006 | 11,348 | 51.3% | 42.4% | 102,900 79,000 to 126,400 |
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 Note tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Note | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 13.9% | 9.9% | More than most |
| Suspension | 12.1% | 8.4% | More than most |
| Tyres | 4.4% | 4.8% | |
| Brakes | 4.2% | 5.8% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 4.2% | 3.6% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.2% | 2.8% | |
| Body and structure | 2.0% | 3.2% | Less than most |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.3% | 0.8% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light4.8%
- Headlamp aim4.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes4.1%
- Brake light4.1%
- Ball joint4.1%
- Coil spring3.3%
- Wipers2.6%
- Headlamp2.5%
- Tyre2.3%
- Tyre tread2.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working4.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.9%
- Ball joint: excessively worn3.8%
- Brake light: not working3.7%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken3.3%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.8%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.6%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.2%
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 edge13.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement12.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing8.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened6.9%
- Coil spring: corroded5.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.1%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.0%
- Ball joint: has slight play3.0%
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
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Nissan Note's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll 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.