Nissan Nv200 MOT Failures
An analysis of 667,924 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Nv200 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: NV200 (2009–2021).
Where the Nissan Nv200 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Nv200 is anti-roll bar links worn — this model is 18 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 667,924 MOT tests, 2.59% of all Nissan Nv200 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 reversing lamp emitted colour, position or inte... (52x the fleet average), coil springs broken (26x the fleet average), wheel damage (22x the fleet average), and reversing lamp lens defective (20x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Nv200'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: Suspension, Lights & Electrics, Bodywork, Brakes, Wipers & Windscreen. If you're inspecting a Nissan Nv200 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 Nv200'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 Nv200 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... (86x the average) and reversing lamp emitted colour, position or inte... (43x). light unit fault (36x) and sharp bodywork damage (30x) 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 Nv200 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are reversing lamp emitted colour, position or inte... (38x the average) and coil springs broken (23x). wheel damage (22x) and reversing lamp lens defective (17x) 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 Nv200 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are reversing lamp emitted colour, position or inte... (51x the average) and coil springs broken (26x). reversing lamp lens defective (20x) and wheel damage (19x) also appear frequently.
The shift from front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... at lower mileages to reversing lamp emitted colour, position or inte... 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 Nv200 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Front suspension bush wear and joint deterioration Major
The NV200's front suspension bushes and ball joints show significantly accelerated wear compared to typical light commercial vehicles. Affects NV200; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
CV joint and driveshaft wear Major
The NV200's CV joints and flexible couplings fail at 6.4 times the fleet average rate, particularly on higher-mileage diesel variants used for commercial work. Affects NV200; typical independent garage repair cost is £180–£350.
Power steering system failure Major
US owner complaints document sudden loss of power steering assistance while driving, including at highway speeds with cruise control engaged. Affects NV200; typical independent garage repair cost is £400–£800.
Engine management system faults
The NV200 diesel shows engine management light (MIL) illumination at This suggests sensor or ECU sensitivity issues rather than component wear. Affects NV200; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£300.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Nv200 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Nv200
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Nv200:
Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn, coil springs broken. Lights & Electrics — check for reversing lamp emitted colour, position or inte..., reversing lamp lens defective, light unit fault. Bodywork — check for wheel damage.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about front suspension bush wear and joint deterioration and cv joint and driveshaft wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £400. 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 Nv200?
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Nissan Nv200 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Nv200?
Based on 667,924 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is anti-roll bar links worn — at 18x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include reversing lamp emitted colour, position or inte... and coil springs broken.
Is the Nissan Nv200 reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Nv200 has 20 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag front suspension bush wear and joint deterioration 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 Nv200 most commonly fails on reversing lamp emitted colour, position or inte... and coil springs broken. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are front or rear fog lamp switch inoperative or no... and reversing lamp emitted colour, position or inte....
How do I check a Nissan Nv200'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.