Compact outside, cavernous inside, built to last
The Nissan NV200 is a compact panel van that won the International Van of the Year award in 2010, competing against the Ford Transit Connect, VW Caddy and Citroen Berlingo. It was also famously chosen as the New York City taxi. It appeals to small business owners, urban delivery operators and tradespeople who need a versatile, fuel-efficient van with a surprisingly large load area for its compact footprint.
We track 5 known issues across the Nissan Nv200 range, with 3 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Nissan Nv200? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
NV200 (2009–2021) — Petrol options included the 1.6 16v, with 1.5 dCi on the diesel side. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 3 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Front suspension bush wear and joint deterioration (£400–£800 to address).
The NV200's front suspension bushes and ball joints show significantly accelerated wear compared to typical light commercial vehicles. MOT data shows this model fails at 26.2 times the fleet average for suspension component wear, with failures documented across all mileage bands from 20,000 miles upwards. The problem is most severe on diesel variants used for commercial duties. Worn components progress from advisory-level play to dangerous separation risk without obvious warning signs.
Severely worn suspension components can separate without warning, causing loss of steering control and potentially dangerous handling instability. Even moderate wear causes poor tyre life, reduced braking efficiency, and MOT failure. Complete front suspension refurbishment typically costs £800-1,500 depending on component condition.
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.
The NV200's CV joints and flexible couplings fail at 6.4 times the fleet average rate, particularly on higher-mileage diesel variants used for commercial work. The constant turning and loading typical of commercial use accelerates wear on the outer CV joints. Failed joints can cause complete loss of drive to one wheel and potential safety risks if the joint separates completely.
Complete CV joint failure results in loss of drive to the affected wheel and potential wheel lockup. The vehicle becomes undriveable and unsafe. Replacement typically involves the complete driveshaft assembly rather than joint rebuilding, with costs varying significantly based on which joint has failed.
Listen for clunking or vibration from underneath when pulling away or changing direction. Check for play in the driveshafts by rocking the car in gear with the handbrake on. Worn CV boots are a telltale sign — look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch.
US owner complaints document sudden loss of power steering assistance while driving, including at highway speeds with cruise control engaged. The NV200 uses electric power steering which can fail without warning due to motor or control unit faults. Loss of assistance makes the vehicle extremely difficult to steer, particularly dangerous during parking manoeuvres or emergency situations.
Complete power steering failure makes the vehicle extremely difficult and dangerous to steer, particularly at low speeds. The driver must apply significant physical force to turn the wheel, creating safety risks during emergency manoeuvres. Electric power steering failures typically require complete motor or control unit replacement.
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 NV200 diesel shows engine management light (MIL) illumination at This suggests sensor or ECU sensitivity issues rather than component wear. The faults can cause reduced power, poor fuel economy, and MOT failure if emissions are affected.
Engine management faults can cause reduced power output, increased fuel consumption, and emissions test failures leading to MOT rejection. Some faults trigger limp mode, severely limiting vehicle performance. Diagnosis requires specialist equipment to read fault codes and determine the specific sensor or system at fault.
Check all electrical functions systematically: windows, mirrors, lights, infotainment, heated seats, air conditioning. Look for any warning lights on the dashboard. A diagnostic scan before purchase can reveal stored fault codes.
US complaints document abnormal tyre wear patterns causing steering instability and roaring noises. The uneven wear typically affects the outer edges first and progresses to cause steering pull and noise. This appears linked to the front suspension geometry being easily disturbed by worn bushes or incorrect alignment, creating a cycle where poor alignment accelerates suspension wear which further worsens alignment.
Uneven tyre wear reduces grip and braking performance while increasing road noise. Severely worn tyres create aquaplaning risks in wet conditions and may fail MOT tests. The underlying alignment problems that cause the wear will continue to affect new tyres unless corrected, making this an ongoing expense.
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.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Nissan Nv200 common problems page.
Based on 124k real DVSA MOT tests, the Nissan Nv200 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is light unit fault at 117x the fleet average, followed by front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... (86x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Nissan Nv200 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 13k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Nissan Nv200 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Nissan Nv200 is a solid choice on the used market, though not without its quirks. The issues we track are well-understood and largely avoidable if you know what to look for. A thorough inspection and complete service history go a long way. 2016-2019 later production models are the most refined, benefiting from accumulated improvements and fewer reported faults. The 2013 model year is noted for durability. Avoid 2010-2012 early models which had more transmission complaints, and the 2015 model year which has the highest number of reported problems.
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 Nv200, 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 Nv200 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.