Nissan 200 Sx MOT Failures
An analysis of 6,983 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan 200 Sx — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Nissan 200 Sx fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan 200 Sx is exhaust system damage — this model is 88 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 6,983 MOT tests, 7.04% of all Nissan 200 Sx tests recorded this as a failure.
Bodywork failures usually mean structural corrosion — not cosmetic rust, but rot that affects the car's structural integrity. Check sills, subframes, and chassis rails carefully, especially on older examples.
Other notable weak points include abs fault (22x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (14x the fleet average), structural corrosion (18x the fleet average), and subframe bushes or mounts worn (13x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan 200 Sx's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Bodywork, Suspension, Seatbelts & Airbags, Exhaust & Emissions, Tyres. If you're inspecting a Nissan 200 Sx before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Nissan 200 Sx's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
The standout failure at this mileage is abs fault at 22x the fleet average.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Nissan 200 Sx specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (335x the average) and exhaust system damage (88x). suspension ball joints worn (78x) and structural corrosion (18x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Nissan 200 Sx specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are exhaust system damage (48x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (10x). body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (8.1x) and subframe bushes or mounts worn (7.3x) also appear frequently.
The shift from abs fault at lower mileages to exhaust system damage at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
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What to check before buying a Nissan 200 Sx
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan 200 Sx:
Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage, structural corrosion. Suspension — check for abs fault, anti-roll bar links worn, subframe bushes or mounts worn.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
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Nissan 200 Sx MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan 200 Sx?
Based on 6,983 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is exhaust system damage — at 88x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include abs fault and anti-roll bar links worn.
Is the Nissan 200 Sx reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan 200 Sx has 12 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is exhaust system damage. Always check a specific car's full history before buying.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Nissan 200 Sx most commonly fails on exhaust system damage and anti-roll bar links worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are abs fault.
How do I check a Nissan 200 Sx's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.