Verdict
Nissans pass their MOT first time on 68.4% of tests, against 71.8% for a typical vehicle of the same age and mileage. They beat only 30% of cars on UK roads, ranking Nissan 32nd of 40 makes: below average, and well behind Toyota and Honda.
The most common models all sit below the middle. The Qashqai, the most-tested Nissan, beats 31% of cars, the Micra 23% and the Juke only 22%. The X-Trail does best of the big sellers, about average at 46%, while the Leaf electric car beats 36%.
The rarer 350 Z beats 92% of cars and the Elgrand 83%. Vans pull the make down, partly from commercial use: the NV200 beats only 3% of cars and the Primastar 17%.
Across all models, Nissans fail on steering about twice as often as a typical vehicle (about 1 in 29 tests), on seat belts and airbags about 1.6 times and on suspension about 1.4 times (about 1 in 8 tests). Tyre and emissions fails are slightly less common than typical.
Where it fails
Every Nissan compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Nissan models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qashqai 2007–2023 | 70.7% | Beats 31% | D |
| Juke 2010–2023 | 73.1% | Beats 22% | D |
| Micra 1993–2022 | 62.9% | Beats 23% | D |
| Note 2006–2017 | 65.9% | Beats 34% | D |
| X-Trail 2002–2023 | 69.2% | Beats 46% | C |
| Navara 2002–2021 | 66.5% | Beats 33% | D |
| Leaf 2011–2023 | 81.0% | Beats 36% | D |
| Almera 1998–2006 | 54.5% | Beats 45% | C |
| NV200 2009–2019 | 57.7% | Beats 3% | E |
| Pulsar 2014–2018 | 78.8% | Beats 35% | D |
| Pixo 2009–2013 | 67.9% | Beats 38% | D |
| Primastar 2003–2023 | 48.1% | Beats 17% | E |
| Elgrand 1998–2020 | 68.8% | Beats 83% | A |
| Pathfinder 2005–2014 | 54.1% | Beats 37% | D |
| Primera 1997–2006 | 53.1% | Beats 43% | C |
| 350Z 2003–2009 | 70.8% | Beats 92% | A |
| e-NV200 2018–2022 | 74.0% | Beats 0% | E |
| Terrano 1999–2005 | 52.3% | Beats 49% | C |
FAQ
What is the Nissan MOT pass rate?
68.4% of Nissan MOT tests were passed first time, from 13.2 million tests. A typical vehicle of the same age and mileage passes 71.8%, so Nissan is about 3 points below average.
Is Nissan reliable?
On MOT results Nissan is below average: it beats 30% of cars on UK roads and ranks 32nd of 40 makes. Its most common models, the Qashqai, Juke and Micra, all beat fewer than four in ten cars. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Nissan models are best and worst?
Of the common models, the X-Trail does best, about average. The rarer 350 Z and Elgrand beat more than eight in ten cars. The Juke beats only 22% of cars and the Micra 23%; among vans, the NV200 and Primastar do worst.
What do Nissans fail the MOT on?
Lights and electrics and suspension most often, each on about 1 in 8 tests. Compared with typical vehicles, steering fails about twice as often, seat belts and airbags about 1.6 times and suspension about 1.4 times.
Is the Nissan Leaf reliable?
On MOT results it is below average, beating 36% of cars on UK roads. The MOT does not test the battery or motor, so ask for a battery health report, and electric cars have no exhaust emissions test, which flatters the comparison a little.