Nissan Silvia MOT pass rate and common problems
88.6% of 1,047 Nissan Silvia MOT tests pass.
The Silvia passes its MOT 88.6% of the time — well above the average across all Nissan models, which sits at 74.9%.
The Nissan Silvia passes its MOT 88.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Nissan Silvia?
This is the average across every Nissan Silvia 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 eases gradually with age, from 89.5% at 3–6 years to 86.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (14) | 14 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 89.5% | 95 | 93,356 miles |
| 6–10 years | 94.4% | 196 | 96,531 miles |
| 10–15 years | 95.4% | 65 | 119,037 miles |
| 15+ years | 86.4% | 677 | 93,439 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Nissan Silvia
The most common reason the Nissan Silvia fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 88.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 88.6% | Not working |
| Brakes | 38.3% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 26.9% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Suspension | 25.7% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 17.4% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Steering | 13.2% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 12.6% | Not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions |
| Body, chassis, structure | 10.2% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.0% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Identification of the vehicle | 4.2% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Nissan Silvia: what to check
These checks follow the Nissan Silvia’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 Silvia comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 95.4% to 86.4%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 92.1% down to 83.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 88.6% of failed Nissan Silvia MOTs. 18.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 7.4% 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. Brakes
Recorded in 38.3% of failed Nissan Silvia MOTs. 8.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 2.1% at 3–6 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.
3. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 26.9% of failed Nissan Silvia MOTs.
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.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 25.7% of failed Nissan Silvia MOTs. 5.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 1.1% 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.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 17.4% of failed Nissan Silvia MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers.
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 200sx — 87.7% pass rate
- Nissan Pickup — 62.7% pass rate
- Nissan Patrol — 79.0% pass rate
- Nissan Murano — 70.1% pass rate
- Nissan Kubistar — 58.3% pass rate
- Nissan Sunny — 71.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan Silvia?
- 88.6% of Nissan Silvia MOT tests pass, based on 1,047 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Nissan Silvia?
- The most common reason the Nissan Silvia fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 88.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Nissan Silvia?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Nissan Silvia are lights and electrics; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 18.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 7.4% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Nissan Silvia?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks; suspension; 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 Silvia'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.