Nissan 350z MOT pass rate and common problems
80.5% of 9,230 Nissan 350z MOT tests pass.
The 350z passes its MOT 80.5% of the time — well above the average across all Nissan models, which sits at 74.9%.
The Nissan 350z has a pass rate of 80.5%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Nissan 350z?
This is the average across every Nissan 350z in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Nissan’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 90.1% at 3–6 years to 78.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 90.1% | 161 | 28,045 miles |
| 6–10 years | 90.5% | 777 | 39,919 miles |
| 10–15 years | 89.1% | 367 | 58,480 miles |
| 15+ years | 78.9% | 7,925 | 89,267 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Nissan 350z
The most common reason the Nissan 350z fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 52.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 52.5% | Not working |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 42.6% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Suspension | 36.7% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Brakes | 29.0% | Excessively corroded |
| Visibility | 17.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 16.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.8% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 8.6% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 4.2% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.3% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Nissan 350z: what to check
These checks follow the Nissan 350z’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Nissan 350z comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 89.1% to 78.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 88.1% down to 79.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 52.5% of failed Nissan 350z MOTs. 14.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.2% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 42.6% of failed Nissan 350z MOTs. 11.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 3.7% at 3–6 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 36.7% of failed Nissan 350z MOTs. 10.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 0.6% at 3–6 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 29.0% of failed Nissan 350z MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 17.1% of failed Nissan 350z MOTs. 4.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.2% at 3–6 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Nissan service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Nissan models
- Nissan Almera — 63.3% pass rate
- Nissan Pixo — 72.7% pass rate
- Nissan Primastar — 56.2% pass rate
- Nissan Pathfinder — 63.1% pass rate
- Nissan E-NV200 — 81.0% pass rate
- Nissan Serena — 86.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan 350z?
- 80.5% of Nissan 350z MOT tests pass, based on 9,230 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Nissan 350z?
- The most common reason the Nissan 350z fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 52.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Nissan 350z?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Nissan 350z are lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks; suspension. 14.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.2% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Nissan 350z?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks; suspension; brakes; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Nissan 350z's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Nissan service history guide for how to check and keep one.