Nissan Note MOT pass rate and common problems
72.6% of 202,892 Nissan Note MOT tests pass.
At 72.6%, the Note passes slightly less often than the average across all Nissan models (74.9%).
The Nissan Note passes 72.6% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Nissan Note?
This is the average across every Nissan Note 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 Note tested at 3–6 years pass 91.1% of the time, compared with just 63.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (10) | 10 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 91.1% | 101 | 40,340 miles |
| 6–10 years | 85.1% | 56,319 | 51,895 miles |
| 10–15 years | 70.5% | 90,560 | 78,205 miles |
| 15+ years | 63.4% | 55,902 | 99,282 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Nissan Note
The most common reason the Nissan Note fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 70.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 70.8% | Not working |
| Suspension | 56.6% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Brakes | 19.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 17.8% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 15.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.0% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.0% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 2.0% | Fixing missing |
| Steering | 1.0% | Ball joint has excessive play |
Buying a used Nissan Note: what to check
These checks follow the Nissan Note’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 Note comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 85.1% to 70.5%. 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: 82.1% down to 71.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 70.8% of failed Nissan Note MOTs. 47.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 5.9% 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. Suspension
Recorded in 56.6% of failed Nissan Note MOTs. 27.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 2.0% 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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 19.4% of failed Nissan Note MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 10.1% 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.
4. Tyres
Recorded in 17.8% of failed Nissan Note MOTs. 7.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 2.0% at 3–6 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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 15.4% of failed Nissan Note MOTs. 7.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 3.0% 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 Qashqai — 75.0% pass rate
- Nissan Juke — 76.4% pass rate
- Nissan Micra — 72.1% pass rate
- Nissan X-Trail — 75.5% pass rate
- Nissan Navara — 77.3% pass rate
- Nissan Leaf — 85.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan Note?
- 72.6% of Nissan Note MOT tests pass, based on 202,892 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Nissan Note?
- The most common reason the Nissan Note fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 70.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Nissan Note?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Nissan Note are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 47.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 5.9% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Nissan Note?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; tyres; 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 Note'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.