Nissan NV200: what fails at MOT
33,000 MOT tests on the Nissan NV200 in 2024, counted. 42.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
42.9% of Nissan NV200 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 26.4%, so the NV200 does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (18.9% of tests), suspension (15.1% of tests) and brakes (6.3% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and brakes 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 | 431 | 16.0% | 10.9% | 11,000 3,700 to 21,000 |
| 2019 | 924 | 31.7% | 13.4% | 51,200 28,400 to 75,600 |
| 2018 | 2,329 | 34.4% | 15.6% | 57,900 35,900 to 81,400 |
| 2017 | 2,932 | 34.2% | 18.2% | 54,800 31,000 to 87,200 |
| 2016 | 4,129 | 40.3% | 21.3% | 72,000 45,300 to 102,000 |
| 2015 | 5,284 | 42.4% | 24.4% | 85,500 59,600 to 115,900 |
| 2014 | 3,723 | 45.7% | 27.7% | 94,300 65,600 to 125,800 |
| 2013 | 4,981 | 48.8% | 30.6% | 108,000 80,600 to 137,400 |
| 2012 | 3,689 | 49.7% | 33.4% | 116,200 88,500 to 145,300 |
| 2011 | 2,870 | 47.7% | 36.1% | 120,100 93,300 to 152,100 |
| 2010 | 1,581 | 44.5% | 38.6% | 118,300 87,500 to 149,900 |
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 NV200 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | NV200 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 18.9% | 6.9% | More than most |
| Suspension | 15.1% | 5.8% | More than most |
| Brakes | 6.3% | 4.2% | More than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 5.9% | 2.8% | More than most |
| Tyres | 5.5% | 4.4% | |
| Exhaust and emissions | 3.1% | 1.8% | More than most |
| Seat belts and airbags | 2.2% | 0.5% | More than most |
| Body and structure | 1.8% | 1.8% |
The parts that fail most
- Side light7.9%
- Ball joint7.6%
- Headlamp3.7%
- Number plate light3.7%
- Brake light3.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes3.6%
- Linkage ball joints3.5%
- Headlamp aim3.3%
- Tyre3.2%
- Wipers3.2%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working7.7%
- Ball joint: excessively worn7.2%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.3%
- Brake light: not working3.3%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.6%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.4%
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 edge15.4%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play9.1%
- Ball joint: has slight play5.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.4%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.6%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.0%
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?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Nissan NV200'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.