Nissan NV300 MOT pass rate and common problems
78.5% of 3,494 Nissan NV300 MOT tests pass.
The NV300 has a pass rate of 78.5%, a little higher than the average across all Nissan models (74.9%).
The Nissan NV300's pass rate of 78.5% is in line with the national average for cars, at 79.2%.
Own this Nissan NV300?
This is the average across every Nissan NV300 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 85.4% at 0–3 years to 71.2% at 6–10 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 85.4% | 741 | 44,094 miles |
| 3–6 years | 80.2% | 1,681 | 62,122 miles |
| 6–10 years | 71.2% | 1,072 | 86,785 miles |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Nissan NV300
The most common reason the Nissan NV300 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 44.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 44.1% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 36.5% | Not working |
| Brakes | 24.4% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Tyres | 18.3% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Steering | 17.6% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 14.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Visibility | 11.5% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.8% | Component damaged and likely to cause injury |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.1% | Retracting mechanism defective |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.8% | Missing |
Buying a used Nissan NV300: what to check
These checks follow the Nissan NV300’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 NV300 comes between 3–6 years and 6–10 years old, from 80.2% to 71.2%. 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: 82.5% down to 73.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 44.1% of failed Nissan NV300 MOTs. 19.3% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension, against 3.0% 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.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 36.5% of failed Nissan NV300 MOTs.
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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 24.4% of failed Nissan NV300 MOTs.
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 18.3% of failed Nissan NV300 MOTs.
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. Steering
Recorded in 17.6% of failed Nissan NV300 MOTs. 9.0% of tests at 6–10 years failed on steering, against 0.8% at 0–3 years.
The steering should feel precise, without knocks or play, and the car should run straight. Turn to full lock both ways and listen for clunks.
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 Skyline — 90.2% pass rate
- Nissan Figaro — 71.8% pass rate
- Nissan 370z — 89.0% pass rate
- Nissan NV250 — 79.7% pass rate
- Nissan Qashqai Premiere — 93.4% pass rate
- Nissan Terrano — 64.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan NV300?
- 78.5% of Nissan NV300 MOT tests pass, based on 3,494 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Nissan NV300?
- The most common reason the Nissan NV300 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 44.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Nissan NV300?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Nissan NV300 are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes. 19.3% of tests at 6–10 years failed on suspension, against 3.0% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Nissan NV300?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; tyres; steering. 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 NV300'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.