Nissan Leaf MOT pass rate and common problems
85.2% of 70,882 Nissan Leaf MOT tests pass.
The Leaf passes its MOT 85.2% of the time — well above the average across all Nissan models, which sits at 74.9%.
The Nissan Leaf passes its MOT 85.2% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Nissan Leaf?
This is the average across every Nissan Leaf 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 drops sharply with age: the Nissan Leaf tested at 0–3 years pass 93.8% of the time, compared with just 64.7% at 10–15 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.8% | 12,581 | 23,398 miles |
| 3–6 years | 90.7% | 30,517 | 35,934 miles |
| 6–10 years | 77.5% | 23,193 | 55,601 miles |
| 10–15 years | 64.7% | 4,591 | 65,762 miles |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Nissan Leaf
The most common reason the Nissan Leaf fails its MOT is tyres — present in 36.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 36.4% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 33.1% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Brakes | 27.2% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Visibility | 20.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 17.2% | Not working |
| Steering | 4.1% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.5% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.4% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Road Wheels | 1.3% | Fixing missing |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.7% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Nissan Leaf: what to check
These checks follow the Nissan Leaf’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 Leaf comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 90.7% to 77.5%. 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: 84.2% down to 72.1%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 36.4% of failed Nissan Leaf MOTs. 9.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 4.1% at 0–3 years.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 33.1% of failed Nissan Leaf MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 23.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on suspension.
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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 27.2% of failed Nissan Leaf MOTs. 13.8% of tests at 10–15 years failed on brakes, against 0.8% at 0–3 years.
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.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 20.2% of failed Nissan Leaf MOTs. 5.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 2.3% at 0–3 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.
5. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 17.2% of failed Nissan Leaf MOTs. 7.9% of tests at 10–15 years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.3% at 0–3 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.
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 Note — 72.6% pass rate
- Nissan X-Trail — 75.5% pass rate
- Nissan Navara — 77.3% pass rate
- Nissan NV200 — 66.6% pass rate
- Nissan Pulsar — 76.7% pass rate
- Nissan Elgrand — 77.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan Leaf?
- 85.2% of Nissan Leaf MOT tests pass, based on 70,882 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Nissan Leaf?
- The most common reason the Nissan Leaf fails its MOT is tyres — present in 36.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Nissan Leaf?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Nissan Leaf are tyres; suspension; brakes. 9.4% of tests at 10–15 years failed on tyres, against 4.1% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Nissan Leaf?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; suspension; brakes; windscreen and wipers; lights and electrics. 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 Leaf'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.