Nissan D22 MOT Failures

An analysis of 20,116 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan D22 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: D22 (1998–2010).

Where the Nissan D22 fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan D22 is coil springs broken — this model is 250 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 20,116 MOT tests, 10.2% of all Nissan D22 tests recorded this as a failure.

Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.

Other notable weak points include wheel bearings worn (27x the fleet average), free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (121x the fleet average), vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (31x the fleet average), and transmission joint, belt or chain worn (28x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan D22'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 6 categories: Suspension, Steering, Bodywork, Lights & Electrics, Brakes and others. If you're inspecting a Nissan D22 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 D22'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 D22 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (250x the average) and free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (121x). vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (31x) and wheel bearings worn (27x) 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 D22 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are tyre fouling a part of the vehicle (146x the average) and fixings missing or insecure (105x). coil springs broken (98x) and transmission shaft bearing worn (84x) also appear frequently.

The shift from coil springs broken at lower mileages to tyre fouling a part of the vehicle 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.

Known issues beyond the MOT

An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Nissan D22 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Structural corrosion reducing chassis rigidity (D22) Dangerous

The D22 chassis rails and crossmembers are prone to severe corrosion that compromises structural integrity. Affects D22; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£3,000.

Subframe mounting point corrosion (D22) Dangerous

The mounting points where the subframe attaches to the main chassis are particularly vulnerable to corrosion on the D22. Affects D22; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,000.

Suspension ball joint and bush wear (D22) Major

The D22 shows exceptionally high failure rates for suspension ball joints and bushes, with MOT data indicating failure rates 249.7 times higher than the fleet average. Affects D22; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.

Wheel bearing excessive wear (D22) Major

MOT data shows the D22 fails for wheel bearing issues at 26.5 times the fleet average, indicating a significant design or durability problem. Affects D22; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.

For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan D22 common problems breakdown.

What to check before buying a Nissan D22

Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan D22:

Suspension — check for coil springs broken, wheel bearings worn. Steering — check for free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Bodywork — check for vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t..., transmission joint, belt or chain worn.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion reducing chassis rigidity and subframe mounting point corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £1,500. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.

Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.

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.