Japan's supercar slayer, now a future collectible
The Nissan GT-R R35 is a legendary performance car that redefined supercar benchmarks when launched in 2007, offering hypercar-rivalling performance at a fraction of the price. In the UK used market, values average around £58,000 with earlier examples from £44,000 and the best late-model cars commanding well over £100,000. Production ended in 2024 with no direct successor announced, cementing the R35's status as a future collectible and the last of its kind.
We track 9 known issues across the Nissan GT-R range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Nissan GT-R? Enter the reg to see which of our 9 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
R35 (2009–2024) — Engine options included the 3.8L Twin-Turbo V6. Our database flags 9 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is DCT gearbox solenoid and clutch failure.
The dual-clutch transmission uses hydraulic solenoids to control clutch engagement and gear selection. These solenoids fail frequently, causing erratic shifts, clutch slip, and transmission warnings. Launch control use accelerates clutch wear dramatically. Early 2009-2012 cars have the highest failure rates. Complete DCT replacement can cost £15,000, making this the most expensive single failure mode on the R35. Later software updates and revised solenoid designs have improved reliability but not eliminated the issue entirely.
Complete transmission failure renders the car undriveable. Clutch replacement requires transmission removal and costs £8,000-£12,000 including labour. Solenoid failures can cause dangerous unpredictable gear changes. A complete DCT unit replacement costs £15,000 plus fitting. The car should not be driven aggressively if transmission warnings are present.
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.
The electronic steering lock mechanism is integrated into the steering column and controlled by the intelligent key system. The motor and control unit fail without warning, preventing the steering wheel from unlocking and making the car impossible to start. This affects all R35 model years and can occur at any mileage. The failure is often intermittent initially, with the steering occasionally failing to unlock on startup. Complete failure leaves the car stranded until the unit is replaced or bypassed.
Complete failure prevents the car from starting and leaves it stranded. The steering wheel remains physically locked even with the key present. Replacement requires steering column removal and costs £1,000-£1,500 including programming. Some specialists offer bypass solutions but these may affect insurance coverage and type approval.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
The twin IHI turbochargers operate at extremely high boost pressures and temperatures. Bearing failure, compressor wheel damage, and wastegate actuator problems are common, particularly on cars used for track driving or modified for higher power output. Poor oil change intervals accelerate bearing wear. Turbo failure typically affects one unit first, causing uneven power delivery and triggering engine management warnings. Replacement requires engine-out work due to the V6's packaging constraints.
Single turbo failure reduces power output and triggers limp mode. Continued driving can damage the engine through debris ingestion or oil starvation. Complete turbo replacement costs £6,000-£8,000 including labour due to the complexity of access. Oil-starved bearings can seize completely, requiring immediate engine shutdown to prevent further damage.
During a test drive, check for hesitation, lack of power or unusual whining from the turbo area. Watch for blue or white smoke from the exhaust under hard acceleration. Check the oil condition and service history — turbos rely on clean oil.
The high-performance VR38DETT engine runs rich under load and generates extreme exhaust temperatures that degrade the catalytic converters prematurely. Track use and aggressive driving accelerate catalyst poisoning. Failed cats trigger check engine lights and cause the car to fail MOT emissions testing. Replacement requires four expensive cats due to the twin-turbo V6 configuration.
Failed catalytic converters cause MOT failure and prevent road legal use. The car may enter limp mode or trigger check engine lights affecting performance and reliability. Complete catalyst replacement costs £4,000-£6,000 for all four units. Continued driving with failed cats can damage oxygen sensors and other emissions components.
Ask about the car's typical usage — short urban journeys prevent DPF regeneration. Check for DPF warning lights and ask about any previous regeneration issues. A forced regeneration at a garage costs far less than a DPF replacement.
The ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system includes electronically controlled transfer case, front differential, rear differential, and multiple fluid circuits. The system requires frequent maintenance with specific Nissan fluids to prevent component wear and maintain proper torque distribution. Neglected service causes expensive differential and transfer case damage. The 18,000-mile service interval is aggressive compared to most AWD systems but essential for the high-performance application and tight component tolerances.
Neglected service leads to differential wear, transfer case damage, and expensive component replacement. Failed differentials can cause dangerous handling characteristics and loss of traction. Complete ATTESA system rebuild can cost £8,000-£12,000. Regular service prevents these failures and maintains the car's all-weather capability.
Listen for whining or grinding from the transfer case area, especially when switching between drive modes. Check for fluid leaks underneath. On 4WD models, test all drive modes during the test drive, including low range if applicable.
For the full breakdown of all 9 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Nissan GT-R common problems page.
Based on 15k real DVSA MOT tests, the Nissan GT-R fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is emissions failure at 502x the fleet average, followed by exhaust system damage (21x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Nissan GT-R MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 6k miles) typically costs £180–£250 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include dct transmission fluid (£450–£650), attesa e-ts differential fluid (£350–£500), coolant flush (£200–£300).
See the full Nissan GT-R service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Nissan GT-R has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue 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 2012-2013 models are the sweet spot, offering significant power increases over 2008-2011 cars (542bhp vs 473bhp) while remaining more affordable than the 2017+ facelift. The 2017 facelift brought 562bhp, revised interior, and improved ride but at a substantial price premium. Avoid 2008-2009 cars which have the most galvanic corrosion issues and least refined transmission calibration. Always verify full Nissan or specialist service history -- a skipped service on a GT-R is a serious red flag.
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 GT-R, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 9 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 9 known Nissan GT-R issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.