Nissan 300 Zx MOT Failures
An analysis of 5,609 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan 300 Zx — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads.
Where the Nissan 300 Zx fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan 300 Zx is structural corrosion — this model is 17 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 5,609 MOT tests, 5.46% of all Nissan 300 Zx 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 anti-roll bar links worn (14x the fleet average), wheel bearings worn (8.7x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (8.2x the fleet average), and abs fault (7.6x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan 300 Zx'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, Brakes, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Nissan 300 Zx 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 300 Zx'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.
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 300 Zx specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are structural corrosion (17x the average) and anti-roll bar links worn (14x). vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (14x) and electrical wiring fault (13x) 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 300 Zx specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (11x the average) and seat mounting fault (8.2x). brake hoses perished or damaged (7.1x) and wheel bearings worn (6.6x) also appear frequently.
The shift from structural corrosion at lower mileages to anti-roll bar links worn 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.
What to check before buying a Nissan 300 Zx
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan 300 Zx:
Bodywork — check for structural corrosion, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t.... Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, wheel bearings worn, abs fault. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault.
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.
Looking at a specific Nissan 300 Zx?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Nissan 300 Zx MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan 300 Zx?
Based on 5,609 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is structural corrosion — at 17x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include anti-roll bar links worn and wheel bearings worn.
Is the Nissan 300 Zx reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan 300 Zx has 11 categories where it fails more often than average. The main concern is structural corrosion. 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 300 Zx most commonly fails on anti-roll bar links worn and seat mounting fault. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are .
How do I check a Nissan 300 Zx'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.