Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, 3 to 15 years old

Nissan models ranked by MOT fails

Q: Which Nissan models have the fewest MOT fails?

3,287 MOT tests at 12 to 14 years put the Nissan 370Z first: 53% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage. Next is the Nissan Cube: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.89).

Q: Which Nissan models fail their MOT most often?

1,219,097 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years put the Nissan Juke last of the 11 in this list: 24% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

Q: How many Nissan models are compared?

11 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 5,126,015 MOT tests in all; 1 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 1 at least 20% more often.

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 5,126,015 MOT tests · Updated 7 Oct 2026

Nissan 370Z has the fewest MOT fails among Nissan models: 53% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (3,287 MOT tests) ^[1].

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11 models ranked, 1 with at least 20% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (95% interval, at 3 or more ages), from 5,126,015 MOT tests ^[1]
Nissan Cube is next: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.89) (5,349 MOT tests)
Nissan Juke is last of the 11: 24% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (1,219,097 MOT tests)

Which year and engine a car has, and how it was kept, decide where one car sits in these ranges. Check the reg first.

Fail rates are for the model across its MOT tests, never a forecast for one car.

Fewest MOT fails: Nissan 370Z, 53% fewer fails than cars the same age and mileage

This is DVSA MOT data, not road tests, owner surveys or breakdown records, and nobody paid to be included. Each model is compared with all cars tested at the same age, in the same mileage band and in its own mix of test years, so a low-mileage model does not look better for its low mileage. "Most reliable" in our titles is measured as MOT failure rate at the same age and mileage, not breakdowns.

Nissan models: the ranking

Ranked by MOT fails against cars the same age and mileage, from 11 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each of 3 or more ages between 3 to 15 years (pooled). The range under each rank is where the model could sit once sampling error is allowed for. Each adjusted rate reads against its own all-car rate, because models are tested at different ages.

Top 11 of 11. Adjusted rate = the model's rate at typical mileage for its own ages, against all cars at those ages; raw = its own ages and mileage.
#95% range	Model	Against cars the same age and mileage	Adjusted rateits own ages, typical mileage	Rawits own ages and mileage	MOT tests	Next step
1certain	Nissan 370Zsports car	53% fewer fails (50–57% fewer)	17.9%all cars: 38.4%	16.4%	3,287at 12 to 14 years	Nissan 370Z common problems
2certain	Nissan Cubesupermini	close to averageratio 0.89 (0.86–0.92)	35.1%all cars: 39.4%	34.0%	5,349at 12 to 15 years	Nissan Cube common problems
33–4	Nissan Pixocity car	close to averageratio 1.06 (1.05–1.07)	40.3%all cars: 38.0%	34.3%	43,020at 10 to 15 years	Nissan Pixo MOT fail rate · Nissan Pixo common problems
43–4	Nissan Notesupermini	close to averageratio 1.06 (1.06–1.07)	34.1%all cars: 32.1%	32.3%	503,560at 5 to 15 years	Nissan Note MOT fail rate · Nissan Note common problems
5certain	Nissan X-Trailfamily SUV	close to averageratio 1.09 (1.09–1.10)	23.9%all cars: 21.8%	25.4%	299,093at 3 to 15 years	Nissan X-Trail MOT fail rate · Nissan X-Trail common problems
66–7	Nissan Leaffamily hatchback	close to averageratio 1.12 (1.10–1.13)	19.5%all cars: 17.4%	19.0%	162,313at 3 to 12 years	Nissan Leaf MOT fail rate · Nissan Leaf common problems
76–8	Nissan Pathfinderlarge SUV	close to averageratio 1.14 (1.12–1.16)	43.1%all cars: 37.9%	46.4%	12,668at 10 to 15 years	Nissan Pathfinder common problems
87–8	Nissan Qashqaifamily SUV	close to averageratio 1.15 (1.15–1.15)	28.1%all cars: 24.5%	29.2%	2,180,953at 3 to 15 years	Nissan Qashqai MOT fail rate · Nissan Qashqai common problems
99–10	Nissan Pulsarfamily hatchback	close to averageratio 1.19 (1.17–1.20)	25.7%all cars: 21.6%	25.0%	84,142at 4 to 11 years	Nissan Pulsar MOT fail rate · Nissan Pulsar common problems
109–10	Nissan Micrasupermini	close to averageratio 1.19 (1.19–1.20)	33.9%all cars: 28.4%	29.5%	612,533at 3 to 15 years	Nissan Micra MOT fail rate · Nissan Micra common problems
11certain	Nissan Jukesmall SUV	24% more fails (24–25% more)	29.6%all cars: 23.8%	29.3%	1,219,097at 3 to 15 years	Nissan Juke MOT fail rate · Nissan Juke common problems

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The top 10 in this list, model by model

1 · 53% fewer MOT fails

Nissan 370Z

Why it ranks here: 53% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage (ratio 0.47, 95% CI 0.43–0.50), from 3,287 MOT tests at 12 to 14 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 17.9% (16.6%–19.3%), against 38.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 16.4%. Rank range 1–1.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a sports car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

2 · About average

Nissan Cube

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.89, 95% CI 0.86–0.92), from 5,349 MOT tests at 12 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 35.1% (33.8%–36.4%), against 39.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 34.0%. Rank range 2–2.

Check before you buy: no part fails significantly more often than on cars the same age (ages 3 to 15).

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

3 · About average

Nissan Pixo

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.06, 95% CI 1.05–1.07), from 43,020 MOT tests at 10 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 40.3% (39.8%–40.8%), against 38.0% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 34.3%. Rank range 3–4.

Check before you buy: fails on visibility 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (3,471 fails in 43,654 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a city car; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

4 · About average

Nissan Note

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.06, 95% CI 1.06–1.07), from 503,560 MOT tests at 5 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 34.1% (33.9%–34.2%), against 32.1% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 32.3%. Rank range 3–4.

Check before you buy: fails on seat belts and airbags 1.4–1.5× as often as cars the same age (6,379 fails in 505,969 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on suspension 1.31–1.33× as often as cars the same age (72,658 fails in 505,969 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

5 · About average

Nissan X-Trail

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.09, 95% CI 1.09–1.10), from 299,093 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 23.9% (23.7%–24.0%), against 21.8% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 25.4%. Rank range 5–5.

Check before you buy: fails on steering 2.6–2.7× as often as cars the same age (8,517 fails in 300,928 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on suspension 1.7–1.8× as often as cars the same age (28,484 fails in 300,928 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on brakes 1.6–1.7× as often as cars the same age (21,938 fails in 300,928 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family SUV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

6 · About average

Nissan Leaf

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.12, 95% CI 1.10–1.13), from 162,313 MOT tests at 3 to 12 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 19.5% (19.3%–19.7%), against 17.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 19.0%. Rank range 6–7.

Check before you buy: fails on suspension 1.8–1.9× as often as cars the same age (9,959 fails in 163,386 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family hatchback; the ones tested were mostly electric.

7 · About average

Nissan Pathfinder

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.14, 95% CI 1.12–1.16), from 12,668 MOT tests at 10 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 43.1% (42.3%–43.9%), against 37.9% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 46.4%. Rank range 6–8.

Check before you buy: fails on body and structure 2.9–3.2× as often as cars the same age (1,899 fails in 13,112 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on steering 2.5–2.8× as often as cars the same age (965 fails in 13,112 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on seat belts and airbags 2.3–2.9× as often as cars the same age (392 fails in 13,112 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a large SUV; the ones tested were mostly diesel.

8 · About average

Nissan Qashqai

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.15–1.15), from 2,180,953 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 28.1% (28.0%–28.1%), against 24.5% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 29.2%. Rank range 7–8.

Check before you buy: fails on steering 3.7–3.8× as often as cars the same age (110,918 fails in 2,191,945 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on seat belts and airbags 2.3–2.4× as often as cars the same age (30,121 fails in 2,191,945 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on body and structure 1.78–1.80× as often as cars the same age (80,592 fails in 2,191,945 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family SUV; the ones tested were 50% diesel, 47% petrol.

9 · About average

Nissan Pulsar

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.17–1.20), from 84,142 MOT tests at 4 to 11 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 25.7% (25.4%–26.0%), against 21.6% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 25.0%. Rank range 9–10.

Check before you buy: fails on steering 2.9–3.2× as often as cars the same age (2,626 fails in 84,984 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on suspension 1.9–2.0× as often as cars the same age (8,695 fails in 84,984 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on brakes 1.45–1.53× as often as cars the same age (5,456 fails in 84,984 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a family hatchback; the ones tested were 69% petrol, 31% diesel.

10 · About average

Nissan Micra

Why it ranks here: No clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 1.19, 95% CI 1.19–1.20), from 612,533 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years. At typical mileage its rate would be about 33.9% (33.8%–34.0%), against 28.4% for all cars at the same ages; raw (its own ages and mileage) 29.5%. Rank range 9–10.

Check before you buy: fails on visibility 1.39–1.41× as often as cars the same age (37,406 fails in 615,324 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted); fails on suspension 1.27–1.29× as often as cars the same age (70,624 fails in 615,324 MOT tests at ages 3 to 15, not mileage-adjusted).

Suits: buyers looking at a supermini; the ones tested were mostly petrol.

How to choose Nissan models with this list

Compare like with like: against cars the same age and mileage, this list runs from 53% fewer (Nissan 370Z) to 24% more (Nissan Juke).
1 of the 11 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 1 at least 20% more often; the other 9 are within that band, or too uncertain to say.
Look at what a model fails on: 8 of the 10 models above have a part that fails more often than on cars the same age.
Then check the one car: its own MOT history and advisories say more about it than its model's average.

Found one on the list? Check that car

A ranking compares models at the same age and mileage; it cannot say how one car was kept. A registration shows that car's own DVSA record: its MOT tests, the mileage at each test and the recall flag.

Free car check by registration The MOT record, the mileage readings and the recall flag in one overview, with how the model does at its MOT.
Check any car's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
Mileage check by registration The odometer reading from each MOT, with drops, jumps and long gaps flagged.

How we rank

5,126,015 MOT tests from 2022–2025 of cars 3 to 15 years old. For each model and age, the tests are split into 6 mileage bands (<30k, 30-60k, 60-90k, 90-120k, 120-150k, 150k+); the expected fails are what all cars of that age would fail in the same bands, corrected to the model's own mix of test years. The ratio of the model's fails to the expected fails sets its place. The adjusted rate is that ratio times the all-car rate at the model's own ages, so it reads against that rate: a model tested only at 3 to 5 years is compared with young cars, not with this list's average.

The 95% intervals cover sampling error only (Wilson intervals). A model is called fewer or more only when its interval is at least 20% from the all-car rate, overall and at 3 or more ages ("close to average" when the interval excludes the all-car rate by less); awards use the same rule. Test years: Each model's expected fails therefore use its own mix of test years 2022–2025, age by age; the mileage bands themselves pool the four years, which can leave a small bias in favour of models first sold late in the window. Generations of a model are pooled unless the data splits them; each row says which years it covers. How we compare

Limitation: MOT tests record roadworthiness defects on the test day. They do not record breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs, and they cannot separate design from upkeep: a model whose owners service it before every MOT looks better here. Only cars still on the road are tested.

More lists

Questions people ask

Which Nissan models have the fewest MOT fails?

3,287 MOT tests at 12 to 14 years put the Nissan 370Z first: 53% fewer MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage. Next is the Nissan Cube: no clear difference from cars the same age and mileage by our 20% rule (ratio 0.89).

Which Nissan models fail their MOT most often?

1,219,097 MOT tests at 3 to 15 years put the Nissan Juke last of the 11 in this list: 24% more MOT fails than cars the same age and mileage.

How many Nissan models are compared?

11 models with at least 1,000 MOT tests at each age counted, 5,126,015 MOT tests in all; 1 fail at least 20% less often than cars the same age and mileage and 1 at least 20% more often.

Sources

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 5,126,015 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.