MOT fail rates by first-use year
2013 Nissan Leaf MOT fail rate and common faults
How Nissan Leaf cars first used in 2013 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 5,028 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.
MOT data updated
At 12 years, tested in 2025
What stands out
- In 2025, at 12 years old, Nissan Leaf cars first used in 2013 failed 42.3% of MOTs (1,214 tests), 6.3 points above the 36.0% for all cars that age.
- From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 9 to 12 years old, the fail rate moved from 35.8% to 42.3%.
- The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Nissan Leaf at 12 years, is suspension ball joint worn, at 9.6 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 2.4).
MOT fail rate by test year
| Test year | Age | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 9 years | 35.8% | 1,288 | 27.1% | +8.7 pts |
| 2023 | 10 years | 38.3% | 1,284 | 30.3% | +8.0 pts |
| 2024 | 11 years | 40.6% | 1,242 | 33.3% | +7.3 pts |
| 2025 | 12 years | 42.3% | 1,214 | 36.0% | +6.3 pts |
Most common faults at 12 years
These figures cover all Nissan Leaf MOTs at 12 years: cars first used 2011 to 2013, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=2,148). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.
MOT fail items
| Fail item | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension ball joint worn | 9.6 | 2.4 |
| Steering track rod end: ball joint play | 9.3 | 1.9 |
| Anti-roll bar link worn | 4.6 | 1.1 |
| Suspension arm bush worn | 3.4 | 1.8 |
| Side/position light not working Wear | 3.3 | 4.1 |
| Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear | 3.3 | 2.9 |
| Wipers not clearing screen Wear | 2.5 | 2.0 |
| Brake pads under 1.5 mm Wear | 2.3 | 2.1 |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear | 2.2 | 1.8 |
| Tyre with cords exposed Wear | 2.0 | 1.7 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=2,148). A test with two items counts once for each.
Advisories
| Advisory | Per 100 MOTs | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear | 18.7 | 18.0 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 14.8 | 10.4 |
| Brake pads wearing thin Wear | 11.1 | 7.6 |
| Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement | 10.5 | 7.3 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear | 10.2 | 8.9 |
| Track rod end ball joint: slight play | 7.8 | 1.6 |
| Suspension ball joint: slight play | 6.9 | 1.9 |
| Anti-roll bar link ball joint: slight play | 6.4 | 1.9 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 4.1 | 4.5 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 4.1 | 4.7 |
Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=2,148). A test with two items counts once for each.
Fuel type at 12 years
These figures cover all Nissan Leaf MOTs at 12 years: cars first used 2011 to 2013, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=2,148). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
| Fuel | Share of tests | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars, same fuel | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 100.0% | 38.5% | 2,148 | 36.2% | 64,688 miles |
Car tax rules for a 2013 car
- Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.
- Electric cars have paid vehicle tax since 1 April 2025, under the rules for their registration date.
These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check
ULEZ and clean air zones
- Fully electric cars do not pay the ULEZ charge.
- Clean air zones that charge cars, such as Birmingham and Bristol, do not charge fully electric cars.
The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker
Other years of the Nissan Leaf
Other Nissan models first used in 2013
| Model | Age at test | MOT fail rate | Tests (n) | All cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Qashqai (2013) | 12 years in 2025 | 46.8% | 44,560 | 36.0% |
| Nissan Juke (2013) | 12 years in 2025 | 44.7% | 34,032 | 36.0% |
| Nissan Note (2013) | 12 years in 2025 | 36.2% | 11,836 | 36.0% |
| Nissan Micra (2013) | 12 years in 2025 | 36.0% | 11,433 | 36.0% |
| Nissan Navara (2013) | 12 years in 2025 | 41.2% | 3,301 | 36.0% |
| Nissan X-Trail (2013) | 12 years in 2025 | 37.2% | 1,580 | 36.0% |
More on the Nissan Leaf
Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.
These figures describe 2013 Nissan Leaf cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.
Source
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources
Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.