Nissan Navara MOT Failures

An analysis of 1,171,281 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Navara — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: D22 (1997–2015), D40 (2005–2015), NP300 (2014–2021).

Where the Nissan Navara fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Navara is transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is — this model is 320 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 1,171,281 MOT tests, 0.21% of all Nissan Navara 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 transmission joint, belt or chain worn (240x the fleet average), main load-bearing structural member fractured o... (70x the fleet average), contaminated with oil, grease etc (48x the fleet average), and indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope... (47x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Navara'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 4 categories: Bodywork, Brakes, Lights & Electrics, Suspension. If you're inspecting a Nissan Navara 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 Navara'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 Navara specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is (320x the average) and transmission joint, belt or chain worn (147x). light unit fault (73x) and towbar fault (59x) 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 Navara specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are lens defective which has no effect on emitted l... (236x the average) and transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is (120x). transmission joint, belt or chain worn (84x) and coil springs broken (82x) 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 Navara specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are main load-bearing structural member fractured o... (69x the average) and transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is (64x). transmission joint, belt or chain worn (41x) and indicator or hazard warning switch does not ope... (41x) also appear frequently.

The shift from transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is at lower mileages to main load-bearing structural member fractured o... 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 Navara specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Timing chain tensioner failure (D22/D40) Dangerous

The YD25DDTi engine uses hydraulic timing chain tensioners that fail due to oil contamination or wear, allowing the timing chain to stretch and jump teeth. Affects D22, D40; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,200.

Coil spring fracture (D40/NP300) Dangerous

The rear coil springs on D40 and NP300 Navara models fracture at exceptionally high rates, particularly when used for heavy towing or load carrying. Affects D40, NP300; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£350.

Chassis structural corrosion (D22) Dangerous

The D22 Navara chassis suffers from structural corrosion at mounting points, particularly around rear suspension pickup points and towbar attachments. Affects D22; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£1,500.

Suspension bush deterioration (D22/D40) Major

The multi-link rear suspension uses numerous rubber bushes that deteriorate rapidly under the high loads typical in commercial use. Affects D22, D40; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.

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

What to check before buying a Nissan Navara

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

Bodywork — check for transmission joint, belt or chain so worn it is, transmission joint, belt or chain worn, main load-bearing structural member fractured o.... Brakes — check for contaminated with oil, grease etc, brake lining or pad contaminated with oil, grea..., load sensing valve seized or inoperative and ab....

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about timing chain tensioner failure and coil spring fracture. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. 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.