Nissan Figaro MOT Failures
An analysis of 41,595 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Figaro — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: FK10 (1991–1991).
Where the Nissan Figaro fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Figaro is power steering fault — this model is 98 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 41,595 MOT tests, 7.18% of all Nissan Figaro tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include steering rack wear (49x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (18x the fleet average), front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... (56x the fleet average), and structural corrosion (17x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Figaro'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: Steering, Seatbelts & Airbags, Lights & Electrics, Bodywork, Exhaust & Emissions and others. If you're inspecting a Nissan Figaro 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 Figaro'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.
For the Nissan Figaro specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (98x the average) and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (18x). track rod ends worn (16x) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (13x) also appear frequently.
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 Figaro specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (51x the average) and steering rack wear (49x). front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... (38x) and seat mounting fault (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 Figaro specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... (56x the average) and obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or... (39x). fluid leak (34x) and brake pipes corroded (27x) also appear frequently.
The shift from power steering fault at lower mileages to front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... 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 Figaro specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion around suspension mounting points (FK10) Dangerous
The Figaro's unibody structure shows severe corrosion around suspension component mounting points, particularly where the rear suspension beam attaches to the body shell. Affects FK10; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£3,000.
General body corrosion affecting structural rigidity (FK10) Major
The Figaro suffers from widespread body corrosion that can seriously reduce structural rigidity. Affects FK10; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,000–£2,500.
Power steering system failure and fluid leaks (FK10) Major
The Figaro's power steering system shows extremely high failure rates, with MOT data showing 95.1x the fleet average for power steering malfunctions. Affects FK10; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
Steering rack gaiter deterioration and ball joint dust cover failure (FK10)
The Figaro shows extremely high failure rates for steering rack gaiters and ball joint dust covers, with MOT data showing up to 48.6x the fleet average. Affects FK10; 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 Figaro common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Figaro
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Figaro:
Steering — check for power steering fault, steering rack wear. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Lights & Electrics — check for front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position..., light unit fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion around suspension mounting points and general body corrosion affecting structural rigidity. 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.
Looking at a specific Nissan Figaro?
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Nissan Figaro MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Figaro?
Based on 41,595 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is power steering fault — at 98x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include steering rack wear and seat mounting fault.
Is the Nissan Figaro reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Figaro has 16 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion around suspension mounting points as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Nissan Figaro most commonly fails on front or rear fog lamp emitted colour, position... and obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are power steering fault and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t....
How do I check a Nissan Figaro'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.