Nissan Note MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 157,340 MOT tests on the Nissan Note carried out in 2023. 35% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 Notes passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2006 to 2017. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2016 models did best (86% passed, +7.1 points against the average for 7-year-old cars), while 2006 models fared worst (49%, −6.8 points). Tested cars had covered 72,363 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 17.6% of tests (noticeably above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 10.3% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 157,340
- First-time pass rate
- 65%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −6.4 points
- Average mileage at test
- 72,363
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Note?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Note MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5,205 | 87% | 82% | +4.9 points | 35,787 |
| 2016 | 10,781 | 86% | 79% | +7.1 points | 39,928 |
| 2015 | 15,043 | 82% | 75% | +6.7 points | 48,983 |
| 2014 | 21,922 | 77% | 72% | +5.7 points | 56,494 |
| 2013 | 11,804 | 66% | 68% | −2.4 points | 64,538 |
| 2012 | 11,911 | 61% | 66% | −4.3 points | 69,703 |
| 2011 | 12,268 | 59% | 63% | −3.9 points | 77,080 |
| 2010 | 14,559 | 57% | 60% | −3.1 points | 83,517 |
| 2009 | 15,399 | 57% | 59% | −2.4 points | 87,085 |
| 2008 | 16,023 | 54% | 57% | −3.7 points | 93,228 |
| 2007 | 12,783 | 51% | 57% | −5.6 points | 96,460 |
| 2006 | 9,598 | 49% | 56% | −6.8 points | 101,070 |
Why the Nissan Note fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Note | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 17.6% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 15.7% | 8.9% |
| Tyres | 5.8% | 6.3% |
| Visibility | 5.3% | 4.8% |
| Brakes | 5.2% | 6.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.6% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 2.4% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.5% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.6% | 0.4% |
| Steering | 0.3% | 1.8% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working10.3%
- 2ball joint excessively worn5.5%
- 3fractured or broken5.5%
- 4pin or bush excessively worn4.6%
- 5projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.6%
- 6does not clear the windscreen effectively3.3%
- 7tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
- 8inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.0%
- 9less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
- 10not working on dipped beam1.5%
Common Note MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Note, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 15.6% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 15.1% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 10.1% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.1% |
| corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 6.3% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 5.5% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 5.3% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.6% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 3.0% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 2.5% |
Tips to help your Note pass
Based on where Notes most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 17.6% of Note tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Visibility · 5.3% of Note tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the Note ULEZ compliant? See the Nissan Note ULEZ check, or view all Nissan models.
Other Nissan models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 157,340 first MOT tests of the Nissan Note carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 157,340 first MOT tests of the Nissan Note.
What is the Nissan Note MOT failure rate?
In our data, 35% of 157,340 first MOT attempts on the Nissan Note ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Nissan Note fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (17.6% of tests), suspension (15.7% of tests), tyres (5.8% of tests).
Which Note year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2016 cars performed best: 86% passed first time, +7.1 points against the average for 7-year-old cars. The weakest was 2006, at 49% (−6.8 points).
How many miles had a typical Nissan Note covered at its MOT?
The average was 72,363 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2017 cars averaged 35,787 miles and 2006 cars 101,070.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Nissan Note?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 15.6% of tests, in the tyres area. 5.8% of Notes failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Note's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 157,340 Notes in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 49% to 87% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any Note's MOT history
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