Japan's quirkiest box on four wheels
The Nissan Cube is a quirky Japanese-market box-car that was briefly sold officially in the UK (2009-2011) but is mostly found as a Japanese import. It occupies a niche as an affordable, characterful city car alternative to conventional superminis, appealing to buyers who want something genuinely different. Prices are low, parts availability is good thanks to Micra/Note shared components, and the cult following keeps the ownership community active.
We track 5 known issues across the Nissan CUBE range, including 2 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Nissan CUBE? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
Z10 (1998–2002) — Engine options included the 1.6 Petrol.
Z11 (2002–2008) — Engine options included the 1.4 Petrol, 1.4 Petrol, 1.5 Petrol.
Z12 (2008–2019) — Engine options included the 1.5 Petrol, 1.5 Petrol, 1.6 Petrol. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 2 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Structural corrosion at mounting points (£800–£2,000 to address).
The Cube suffers from accelerated corrosion at critical structural mounting points, failing MOT tests at 5.3 times the national average for load-bearing structure integrity within 30cm of suspension mounting points. This affects the areas where suspension components attach to the body, creating a dangerous structural weakness that can lead to suspension component detachment. The problem appears to worsen significantly with age and mileage.
Structural corrosion at suspension mounting points can lead to catastrophic failure where suspension components detach from the vehicle body, resulting in complete loss of control. This is a dangerous defect that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive and will result in immediate MOT failure. Repair typically requires welding or body shell replacement, often making the vehicle economically unviable.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The Cube shows unusually early brake pipe corrosion, failing at 4.2 times the fleet average rate from as low as 20,000 miles. This premature failure suggests either poor routing of brake pipes or inadequate corrosion protection from the factory. Brake pipe failure is a critical safety issue that can result in complete brake system failure and should be addressed immediately when detected.
Brake pipe failure can result in complete loss of braking capability, creating an immediate and extreme safety hazard. Even minor brake pipe corrosion will cause MOT failure. Complete brake pipe replacement typically costs £400-800 depending on which pipes are affected and accessibility for repair.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The Cube's tall narrow body places unusual stresses on suspension components, causing premature wear of anti-roll bar links, wishbone bushes, and ball joints. MOT data shows this model fails suspension bush/joint tests at 22.4 times the fleet average, with failures occurring across all mileage ranges from 20,000 miles upwards. The problem is progressive and worsens significantly with age, making thorough suspension inspection essential on any used example.
Worn suspension components affect handling, tyre wear patterns, and MOT compliance. Severely worn ball joints or track rod ends create a dangerous loss of steering control. A comprehensive suspension refresh typically costs £800-£1,500 depending on which components need replacement.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Coil springs on the Cube fail at 5.6 times the fleet average rate, typically between 40,000-80,000 miles. The combination of the vehicle's high centre of gravity and relatively soft spring rates leads to fatigue failure, usually manifesting as fractured coils or collapsed spring height. This is a structural safety issue that affects vehicle stability and will cause immediate MOT failure.
A fractured spring creates unpredictable handling characteristics and can damage tyres, shock absorbers, or bodywork. The sharp end of a broken coil can puncture a tyre. Driving with a broken spring is dangerous and will result in immediate MOT failure. Spring replacement typically costs £300-600 per axle including labour.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
Third-generation Cubes with CVT automatic transmission suffer from premature transmission failure, typically manifesting as slipping, jerking, or complete loss of drive. NHTSA data shows 17 specific CVT-related complaints with 5 complete transmission failures reported. The issue is often linked to inadequate fluid changes - Nissan's original 'lifetime fill' recommendation has proven insufficient for UK driving conditions.
CVT failure typically results in complete loss of drive or severe slipping that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. Replacement with a remanufactured unit costs £3,000-£5,000 including labour. Due to the high repair cost, CVT failure often renders the vehicle economically unviable.
Test the automatic gearbox extensively in slow traffic, car parks and on hill starts. Feel for any juddering, hesitation or clunking during gear changes. Try repeated low-speed manoeuvres as this is where problems are most apparent.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Nissan CUBE common problems page.
Based on 15k real DVSA MOT tests, the Nissan CUBE fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is body panel damage at 35x the fleet average, followed by subframe bushes or mounts worn (22x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Nissan CUBE MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £60–£90 at an independent garage.
See the full Nissan CUBE service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Nissan CUBE has some well-documented weak points, including 2 safety-critical issues that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. The 2013 model year is the most reliable with a 94% MOT pass rate and far fewer transmission complaints. Avoid 2009-2012 examples which have the highest failure rates. For imports, look for auction grade 3.5 or above and verify full Japanese service stamps.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Nissan CUBE, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Nissan CUBE issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.