Nissan Nv300 MOT Failures
An analysis of 26,871 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Nv300 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: NV300_Gen1 (2016–2021).
Where the Nissan Nv300 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Nv300 is stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... — this model is 23 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 26,871 MOT tests, 2.49% of all Nissan Nv300 tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include emissions failure (10x the fleet average), anti-roll bar links worn (9.9x the fleet average), obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or... (11x the fleet average), and brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (11x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Nv300'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: Lights & Electrics, Exhaust & Emissions, Suspension, Wipers & Windscreen, Brakes and others. If you're inspecting a Nissan Nv300 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 Nv300'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 Nv300 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... (58x the average) and stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... (23x). obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or... (11x) and brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (11x) 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 Nv300 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... (121x the average) and stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... (9.0x). brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (7.5x) and emissions failure (6.5x) 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 Nv300 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... (7.3x the average) and obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or... (7.1x).
The shift from lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... at lower mileages to brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... 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 Nv300 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Engine management light illumination Major
MOT data shows this occurs at 10.1 times the national average, particularly affecting vehicles in the 20,000-40,000 mile range. Affects NV300_Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£800.
Suspension bush and joint wear Major
The NV300 shows exceptionally high rates of suspension bush and joint wear, with MOT failures occurring at 9.9 times the fleet average. Affects NV300_Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£1,200.
Shock absorber failure Major
Shock absorber failure occurs at 4.0 times the fleet average on the NV300, with the trend worsening over recent MOT years. Affects NV300_Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
Steering ball joint excessive wear Major
Steering ball joint wear occurs at 4.0 times the fleet average, primarily affecting the 1.6-litre diesel variants. Affects NV300_Gen1; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Nv300 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Nv300
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Nv300:
Lights & Electrics — check for stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o..., lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m.... Exhaust & Emissions — check for emissions failure. Suspension — check for anti-roll bar links worn. Wipers & Windscreen — check for obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about engine management light illumination and suspension bush and joint wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £150. 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 Nv300?
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Nissan Nv300 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Nv300?
Based on 26,871 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o... — at 23x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include emissions failure and anti-roll bar links worn.
Is the Nissan Nv300 reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Nv300 has 7 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag engine management light illumination 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 Nv300 most commonly fails on brake pedal anti-slip provision missing, loose ... and obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or.... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a m... and stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case o....
How do I check a Nissan Nv300'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.