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Nissan Navara reliability

D · Below average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 559,211 MOT tests of cars first registered 2002–2021.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
66.5%pass first time
−3.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 33%of cars
559,211MOT tests

Verdict

The Nissan Navara passes its MOT first time on 66.5% of tests, 3.1 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (69.5%). That puts it ahead of 33% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2006 Navara does best (beats 50% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 11%).

Of its engines, the 2.5 Diesel does best (beats 38%) and the 2.3 Diesel worst (beats 23%).

Better than average on tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Body & structure1.9×as often as a typical car
Emissions & leaks1.4×as often as a typical car
Track rod ends2.4×as often as a typical car
Suspension ball joints1.9×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192082%77%69%63%56%54%55%55%55%
Nissan NavaraTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2002
Beats 62%
2003
Beats 63%
2004
Beats 63%
2005
Beats 58%
2006
Beats 50%
2007
Beats 47%
2008
Beats 40%
2009
Beats 32%
2010
Beats 39%
2011
Beats 34%
2012
Beats 24%
2013
Beats 33%
2014
Beats 24%
2015
Beats 18%
2016
Beats 47%
2017
Beats 11%
2018
Beats 13%
2019
Beats 23%
2020
Beats 20%
2021
Beats 36%

Engines

All years, 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.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel2002–2015305,46058.7%Beats 38%D
2.3 Diesel2016–2021242,91376.1%Beats 23%D
3.0 Diesel2012–201510,83868.7%Beats 41%C

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 4.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 11.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 14.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 8.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 14.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.7 ptsTyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.3 ptsBrakes: 8.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.3 ptsSuspension: 11.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−2.2 ptsExhaust: 4.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.5 ptsSuspension: 11.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 8.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 14.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 4.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 14.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 12.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−1.7 ptsTyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.3 ptsBrakes: 8.7% of tests fail on brakes, against 7.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.3 ptsSuspension: 11.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−2.2 ptsExhaust: 4.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−1.5 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Suspension: 11.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 9.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
14.4% vs 12.7%
Suspension
11.5% vs 9.3%
Brakes
8.7% vs 7.4%
Body & structure
6.4% vs 3.4%
Visibility
6.1% vs 5.0%
Emissions & leaks
4.8% vs 3.3%
Steering
4.3% vs 2.0%
Tyres
3.9% vs 7.3%
Seat belts & airbags
2.0% vs 1.1%
Wheels
0.6% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Track rod ends 2.4× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Suspension ball joints 1.9× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Engine warning light 1.7× typical
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • Exhaust system 1.8× typical
    Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look for heavy corrosion underneath.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k91%84%78%72%65%60%57%54%
Nissan NavaraTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Sidelights4.2%3.1%1.4×
Track rod ends3.5%1.4%2.4×
Coil springs3.3%2.4%1.4×
Headlight aim3.1%3.5%0.9×
Windscreen washers3.1%2.3%1.4×
Suspension ball joints3.0%1.5%1.9×
Tyre tread depth2.7%3.1%0.9×
Windscreen wipers2.6%2.3%1.1×
Brake pads2.5%2.5%1.0×
Engine warning light2.1%1.3%1.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn46.8
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened36.8
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction35.5
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning34.2
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play33.1
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements31.4
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen30.9
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements26.8
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. 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.

2021 Nissan Navara1 engine82.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel19,54182.5%Beats 36%D
2020 Nissan Navara1 engine79.5% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel16,54779.5%Beats 20%E
2019 Nissan Navara1 engine78.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel36,23178.0%Beats 23%D
2018 Nissan Navara1 engine74.7% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel47,43674.7%Beats 13%E
2017 Nissan Navara1 engine72.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel61,70672.9%Beats 11%E
2016 Nissan Navara1 engine76.5% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.3 Diesel61,45276.5%Beats 47%C
2015 Nissan Navara2 engines69.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel32,05069.0%Beats 17%E
3.0 Diesel2,96071.2%Beats 26%D
2014 Nissan Navara2 engines66.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel29,36366.4%Beats 23%D
3.0 Diesel3,10269.2%Beats 38%D
2013 Nissan Navara2 engines64.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel28,29863.9%Beats 31%D
3.0 Diesel3,25068.2%Beats 53%C
2012 Nissan Navara2 engines58.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel29,56958.2%Beats 23%D
3.0 Diesel1,52663.6%Beats 44%C
2011 Nissan Navara1 engine57.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel37,85957.9%Beats 34%D
2010 Nissan Navara1 engine56.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel18,93256.4%Beats 39%D
2009 Nissan Navara1 engine53.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel19,58553.1%Beats 32%D
2008 Nissan Navara1 engine53.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel20,86953.4%Beats 40%C
2007 Nissan Navara1 engine54.1% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel27,74754.1%Beats 47%C
2006 Nissan Navara1 engine53.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel24,80753.3%Beats 50%C
2005 Nissan Navara1 engine54.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel18,26754.7%Beats 58%C
2004 Nissan Navara1 engine55.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel11,75555.9%Beats 63%B
2003 Nissan Navara1 engine55.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel4,76655.6%Beats 63%B
2002 Nissan Navara1 engine55.4% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel1,59355.4%Beats 62%B

FAQ

What is the Nissan Navara MOT pass rate?

66.5% of MOT tests on the Nissan Navara were passed first time, based on 559,211 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2002–2021. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 69.5% of the time.

Is the Nissan Navara reliable?

On MOT results it rates D (below average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 33% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Nissan Navara year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2006 Navara does best for its age and mileage: it beats 50% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 11%.

Which Nissan Navara engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.5 Diesel does best: it beats 38% of cars on UK roads. The 2.3 Diesel does worst: it beats 23%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Nissan Navara?

The most common failure items are sidelights, track rod ends, coil springs. Compared with similar cars, track rod ends comes up 2.4× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.