Nissan Pickup MOT Failures
An analysis of 45,782 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Pickup — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: D21 (1992–2004), D22 (1998–2012).
Where the Nissan Pickup fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Pickup is coil springs broken — this model is 522 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 45,782 MOT tests, 10.91% of all Nissan Pickup 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 (49x the fleet average), free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (209x the fleet average), transmission joint, belt or chain worn (59x the fleet average), and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (175x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Pickup'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: Suspension, Steering, Bodywork, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Nissan Pickup 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 Pickup'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 Pickup specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (522x the average) and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (175x). wheel bearings worn (49x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (36x) 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 Pickup specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are main load-bearing structural member modified or... (718x the average) and coil springs broken (323x). free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (209x) and fixings missing or insecure (190x) 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 Pickup specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are vehicle structure corroded to the extent that s... (73x the average) and free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (61x). coil springs broken (59x) and transmission joint, belt or chain worn (41x) also appear frequently.
The shift from coil springs broken at lower mileages to vehicle structure corroded to the extent that s... 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 Pickup specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion affecting vehicle rigidity Dangerous
The chassis and body structure on Nissan Pickups suffer from extensive corrosion that can compromise the vehicle's structural integrity. Affects D21, D22; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£2,500.
Suspension pin, bush and joint excessive wear Major
Nissan Pickups experience premature wear of suspension bushes, pins, and joints at extraordinarily high rates - 672 times the national fleet average according to MOT data. Affects D21, D22; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
Wheel bearing excessive play Major
Wheel bearings fail at 37 times the national average on Nissan Pickups. Affects D21, D22; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£280.
Brake caliper binding causing continuous brake application Major
Brake calipers seize at 15 times the national fleet average on Nissan Pickups. Affects D21, D22; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£400.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Pickup common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Pickup
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Pickup:
Suspension — check for coil springs broken, wheel bearings worn, abs fault. Steering — check for free play in the steering, measured at the rim ..., steering rack wear. Bodywork — check for transmission joint, belt or chain worn, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion affecting vehicle rigidity and suspension pin, bush and joint excessive wear. 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.
Looking at a specific Nissan Pickup?
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Nissan Pickup MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Pickup?
Based on 45,782 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is coil springs broken — at 522x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include wheel bearings worn and free play in the steering, measured at the rim ....
Is the Nissan Pickup reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Pickup has 19 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion affecting vehicle rigidity 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 Pickup most commonly fails on vehicle structure corroded to the extent that s... and free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are coil springs broken and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t....
How do I check a Nissan Pickup'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.