Renault Trafic twin with a better warranty
A rebadged Renault Trafic built in the same Sandouville factory, the NV300 was Nissan's medium panel van sold from 2016 to around 2021. Its primary advantage over the Trafic is Nissan's five-year/100,000-mile warranty. In the UK used van market it competes with the Trafic, Vauxhall Vivaro, and Fiat Talento — all siblings from the same platform.
We track 5 known issues across the Nissan Nv300 range, with 5 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Nissan Nv300? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
NV300_Gen1 (2016–2021) — Engine options included the 1.6 dCi, 2.0 dCi. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 5 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Engine management light illumination (£150–£800 to address).
MOT data shows this occurs at 10.1 times the national average, particularly affecting vehicles in the 20,000-40,000 mile range. This typically indicates emissions system faults, sensor failures, or diesel particulate filter issues common to modern commercial diesel engines under stop-start urban use patterns.
An illuminated EML will cause an automatic MOT failure. The underlying cause could range from a faulty sensor (£100-300 repair) to DPF failure requiring replacement (£1,500-2,500). The vehicle may enter reduced power mode affecting commercial operation. Continued driving without diagnosis can lead to more expensive secondary failures.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The NV300 shows exceptionally high rates of suspension bush and joint wear, with MOT failures occurring at 9.9 times the fleet average. This affects both 1.6 and 2.0-litre variants and spans all mileage bands from 20,000 miles upward. The trend is worsening over time, suggesting either design weakness or premature deterioration of rubber components. Commercial loading patterns likely accelerate wear on suspension components designed for lighter passenger car duty cycles.
Worn suspension bushes and joints will cause MOT failure and affect vehicle safety and handling. Continued use can lead to uneven tyre wear, reduced braking efficiency, and poor vehicle control. Complete suspension overhaul on a commercial vehicle can cost £1,000-3,000 depending on which components require 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.
Shock absorber failure occurs at 4.0 times the fleet average on the NV300, with the trend worsening over recent MOT years. Failures peak in the 60,000-80,000 mile range but are documented from as early as 20,000 miles. This suggests either inadequate specification for commercial vehicle loading or premature seal failure leading to oil leakage and loss of damping effectiveness.
Failed shock absorbers cause MOT failure and significantly affect vehicle safety. Poor damping increases braking distances, reduces tyre contact with the road, and can cause dangerous handling characteristics particularly when loaded. Complete shock absorber replacement typically costs £400-800 depending on specification.
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.
Steering ball joint wear occurs at 4.0 times the fleet average, primarily affecting the 1.6-litre diesel variants. Failures are documented from 40,000 miles onward with the trend worsening over recent MOT test years. Excessive wear in steering components can lead to dangerous loss of steering control and will cause immediate MOT failure. The pattern suggests either inadequate specification for commercial vehicle use or manufacturing quality issues.
Worn steering ball joints create a serious safety risk as they can fail completely, leading to loss of steering control. This will cause immediate MOT failure and makes the vehicle dangerous to drive. Ball joint replacement typically costs £200-400 per side including tracking adjustment, but the safety implications make this a priority repair.
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.
Coil spring fractures occur at 2.5 times the fleet average on the NV300, with the trend worsening over recent years. Springs typically fail between 40,000-120,000 miles, suggesting either corrosion issues or inadequate specification for commercial loading patterns. A fractured spring will cause MOT failure and can lead to dangerous handling characteristics or tyre damage from the broken spring end.
A fractured coil spring will cause MOT failure and creates a safety risk through altered suspension geometry and potential tyre damage. The broken spring end can damage the tyre sidewall leading to sudden deflation. Spring replacement typically costs £150-300 per corner and should be done as a pair on each axle to maintain handling balance.
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 Nv300 common problems page.
Based on 11k real DVSA MOT tests, the Nissan Nv300 fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... at 121x the fleet average, followed by stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... (23x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Nissan Nv300 MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 18k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Nissan Nv300 service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Nissan Nv300 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. 2019-2021 facelifted models with the newer 2.0 dCi engine are most refined and reliable. The 2021 model year has the highest MOT pass rate (86%). Avoid 2016 first-year models which have the lowest pass rate (72%) and earliest-generation components.
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 Nv300, 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 Nv300 issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.