Nissan Navara MOT pass rate and common problems
77.3% of 130,842 Nissan Navara MOT tests pass.
The Navara has a pass rate of 77.3%, a little higher than the average across all Nissan models (74.9%).
At 77.3%, the Nissan Navara passes slightly less often than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Nissan Navara?
This is the average across every Nissan Navara 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 Navara tested at 0–3 years pass 89.5% of the time, compared with just 66.0% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 89.5% | 9,989 | 42,270 miles |
| 3–6 years | 85.1% | 36,387 | 59,034 miles |
| 6–10 years | 77.7% | 44,338 | 86,402 miles |
| 10–15 years | 67.3% | 25,085 | 122,262 miles |
| 15+ years | 66.0% | 15,043 | 131,106 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Nissan Navara
The most common reason the Nissan Navara fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 52.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 52.6% | Not working |
| Suspension | 46.6% | Fractured or broken |
| Brakes | 35.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Body, chassis, structure | 23.7% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 17.0% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 14.1% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.8% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 9.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.0% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.1% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Nissan Navara: what to check
These checks follow the Nissan Navara’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 Navara comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 77.7% to 67.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 91.0% down to 84.4%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 52.6% of failed Nissan Navara MOTs. 30.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.2% 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.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 46.6% of failed Nissan Navara MOTs. 25.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 1.0% at 0–3 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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 35.0% of failed Nissan Navara MOTs. 21.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 4.8% 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. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 23.7% of failed Nissan Navara MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 25.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 17.0% of failed Nissan Navara MOTs. 9.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 2.2% 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.
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 Micra — 72.1% pass rate
- Nissan Note — 72.6% pass rate
- Nissan X-Trail — 75.5% pass rate
- Nissan Leaf — 85.2% pass rate
- Nissan NV200 — 66.6% pass rate
- Nissan Pulsar — 76.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan Navara?
- 77.3% of Nissan Navara MOT tests pass, based on 130,842 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Nissan Navara?
- The most common reason the Nissan Navara fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 52.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Nissan Navara?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Nissan Navara are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 30.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.2% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Nissan Navara?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; 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 Navara'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.