Nissan NV200 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 26,155 MOT tests on the Nissan NV200 carried out in 2023. 43% failed at the first attempt, which is well above the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 6 in 10 NV200s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2009 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2021 models did best (91% passed, −0.0 points against the average for 2-year-old cars), while 2015 models fared worst (57%, −18.8 points). Tested cars had covered 88,365 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 25.2% of tests (well above the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 15.2% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 26,155
- First-time pass rate
- 57%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- −14.2 points
- Average mileage at test
- 88,365
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular NV200?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
NV200 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 98 | 91% | 91% | −0.0 points | 25,474 |
| 2020 | 141 | 77% | 88% | −11.1 points | 28,964 |
| 2019 | 827 | 68% | 86% | −18.6 points | 50,435 |
| 2018 | 1,827 | 67% | 84% | −17.5 points | 54,074 |
| 2017 | 2,295 | 67% | 82% | −14.8 points | 55,647 |
| 2016 | 3,303 | 63% | 79% | −16.0 points | 70,048 |
| 2015 | 4,157 | 57% | 75% | −18.8 points | 82,813 |
| 2014 | 3,001 | 54% | 72% | −18.0 points | 92,940 |
| 2013 | 3,949 | 52% | 68% | −15.8 points | 105,898 |
| 2012 | 2,970 | 50% | 66% | −15.3 points | 113,623 |
| 2011 | 2,223 | 52% | 63% | −11.4 points | 118,915 |
| 2010 | 1,222 | 52% | 60% | −8.5 points | 119,003 |
| 2009 | 141 | 59% | 59% | −0.1 points | 116,852 |
Why the Nissan NV200 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | NV200 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 25.2% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 19.2% | 8.9% |
| Brakes | 8.1% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 7.7% | 4.8% |
| Tyres | 7.6% | 6.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.9% | 3.1% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 2.9% | 1.0% |
| Body and structure | 2.0% | 3.5% |
| Steering | 0.5% | 1.8% |
| Road Wheels | 0.3% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working15.2%
- 2ball joint excessively worn12.7%
- 3inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps4.3%
- 4does not clear the windscreen effectively4.2%
- 5pin or bush excessively worn3.7%
- 6not working on dipped beam3.7%
- 7fractured or broken3.6%
- 8tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.6%
- 9inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.0%
- 10incorrect colour2.5%
Common NV200 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used NV200, 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 | 18.9% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 17.7% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 7.0% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 5.8% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 4.8% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 4.3% |
| incorrect colour | Lights and electrics | 4.0% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 3.6% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.7% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.7% |
Tips to help your NV200 pass
Based on where NV200s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 25.2% of NV200 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.
Brakes · 8.1% of NV200 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Visibility · 7.7% of NV200 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 NV200 ULEZ compliant? See the Nissan NV200 ULEZ check, or view all Nissan models.
Other Nissan models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 26,155 first MOT tests of the Nissan NV200 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 26,155 first MOT tests of the Nissan NV200.
What is the Nissan NV200 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 43% of 26,155 first MOT attempts on the Nissan NV200 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Nissan NV200 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (25.2% of tests), suspension (19.2% of tests), brakes (8.1% of tests).
Which NV200 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2021 cars performed best: 91% passed first time, −0.0 points against the average for 2-year-old cars. The weakest was 2015, at 57% (−18.8 points).
How many miles had a typical Nissan NV200 covered at its MOT?
The average was 88,365 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 25,474 miles and 2009 cars 116,852.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Nissan NV200?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 18.9% of tests, in the tyres area. 7.6% of NV200s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific NV200's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 26,155 NV200s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 50% to 91% 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 · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
Check any NV200's MOT history
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