Nissan reliability and common MOT problems by model
Nissan shows a 20.7% combined MOT failure rate across 2,030,380 tests in Motintel data. Leaf has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 13.5%. Almera deserves extra checking at 26.3%.
Data sources: DVSA MOT records, official recall records, and MOT fault wording snapshots (2026-04-27, 2026-04-29, rfr_codes_2025-05-12, failure items 2023). Search-indexed model pages must clear 20,000 MOT tests and 10,000 vehicles.
Nissan combined failure rate: 20.7% — all-model average is 18.7%. Ranked #35 of 48 makes by failure rate (1 = lowest).
Which Nissan models look strongest?
Leaf (13.5%), Pulsar (17.3%), Qashqai (20.0%), Juke (20.3%), X Trail (20.4%)
Which Nissan models need extra caution?
Almera (26.3%), Nv200 (25.2%), Micra (21.8%), Navara (21.8%), Note (21.1%)
Most reliable Nissan models in MOT data
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan Leaf | 13.5% | 41,664 tests | 33,884 vehicles |
| 2 | Nissan Pulsar | 17.3% | 25,717 tests | 20,898 vehicles |
| 3 | Nissan Qashqai | 20.0% | 683,919 tests | 529,012 vehicles |
| 4 | Nissan Juke | 20.3% | 345,484 tests | 265,229 vehicles |
| 5 | Nissan X Trail | 20.4% | 116,254 tests | 90,166 vehicles |
Nissan models with the highest MOT failure rates
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan Almera | 26.3% | 23,447 tests | 17,322 vehicles |
| 2 | Nissan Nv200 | 25.2% | 34,515 tests | 25,042 vehicles |
| 3 | Nissan Micra | 21.8% | 320,258 tests | 245,745 vehicles |
| 4 | Nissan Navara | 21.8% | 91,322 tests | 69,396 vehicles |
| 5 | Nissan Note | 21.1% | 197,138 tests | 151,941 vehicles |
Common Nissan MOT problem areas
| # | Problem area | MOT notes | Models affected | What to check | High-rate examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension and steering | 518,266 MOT notes | 10 models | Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced. | Nissan Nv200, Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Juke |
| 2 | Corrosion and structure | 396,773 MOT notes | 10 models | Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs. | Nissan Almera, Nissan Micra, Nissan X Trail |
| 3 | Lights and electrical | 224,293 MOT notes | 10 models | Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying. | Nissan Almera, Nissan Nv200, Nissan Note |
| 4 | Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors | 147,679 MOT notes | 10 models | Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear. | Nissan Nv200, Nissan Almera, Nissan Juke |
| 5 | Emissions, engine, and exhaust | 141,988 MOT notes | 10 models | Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs. | Nissan Almera, Nissan Navara, Nissan Micra |
| 6 | Tyres and wheels | 44,061 MOT notes | 10 models | Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear. | Nissan Juke, Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Nv200 |
All Nissan model reports
| Model | MOT tests | Vehicles | Failure rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qashqai | 683,919 | 529,012 | 20.0% |
| Juke | 345,484 | 265,229 | 20.3% |
| Micra | 320,258 | 245,745 | 21.8% |
| Note | 197,138 | 151,941 | 21.1% |
| X Trail | 116,254 | 90,166 | 20.4% |
| Navara | 91,322 | 69,396 | 21.8% |
| Leaf | 41,664 | 33,884 | 13.5% |
| Nv200 | 34,515 | 25,042 | 25.2% |
| Pulsar | 25,717 | 20,898 | 17.3% |
| Almera | 23,447 | 17,322 | 26.3% |
| Elgrand limited data | 15,736 | 12,037 | 22.1% |
| Primastar limited data | 15,714 | 10,481 | 31.8% |
| Pixo limited data | 15,023 | 11,672 | 20.5% |
| Cabstar limited data | 14,369 | 9,548 | 33.3% |
| Pathfinder limited data | 8,940 | 6,256 | 29.8% |
| Nv400 limited data | 8,086 | 6,057 | 23.2% |
| 350 Z limited data | 6,658 | 5,293 | 19.5% |
| Juke N Connecta Dig T limited data | 5,824 | 5,072 | 6.6% |
| Primera limited data | 5,576 | 4,221 | 27.0% |
| E Nv200 limited data | 5,433 | 4,300 | 16.0% |
| Juke Tekna Dig T S A limited data | 4,930 | 4,454 | 5.7% |
| Juke Tekna Dig T limited data | 4,885 | 4,317 | 5.2% |
| Juke N Connecta Dig T S A limited data | 3,791 | 3,328 | 6.2% |
| Cube limited data | 3,454 | 2,676 | 20.5% |
| Figaro limited data | 3,344 | 2,459 | 27.4% |
| Unclassified limited data | 2,773 | 2,157 | 21.6% |
| Nv300 limited data | 2,684 | 2,138 | 17.0% |
| Terrano limited data | 2,603 | 1,925 | 30.1% |
| Gt R limited data | 2,514 | 2,340 | 4.6% |
| Serena limited data | 2,468 | 1,929 | 17.3% |
| Skyline limited data | 2,237 | 1,999 | 10.1% |
| Pickup limited data | 2,034 | 1,465 | 29.3% |
| 370 Z limited data | 1,916 | 1,649 | 11.7% |
| Kubistar limited data | 1,652 | 1,156 | 30.2% |
| Juke Acenta Dig T limited data | 1,517 | 1,347 | 6.6% |
| Murano limited data | 1,436 | 1,040 | 26.4% |
| Qashqai N Tec Dig T S A limited data | 1,346 | 1,196 | 6.8% |
| Patrol limited data | 1,315 | 1,053 | 19.9% |
| Interstar limited data | 1,299 | 901 | 30.9% |
| D22 limited data | 1,105 | 805 | 29.5% |
Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.