Nissan Serena MOT Failures
An analysis of 5,877 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Serena — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: C23 (1991–2005), C25 (2005–2010), C26 (2010–2016), C27 (2016–2024).
Where the Nissan Serena fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Serena is track rod ends worn — this model is 17 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 5,877 MOT tests, 13.08% of all Nissan Serena 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 axle or kingpin wear (13x the fleet average), subframe bushes or mounts worn (22x the fleet average), and headlight fault (8.5x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Serena'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 3 categories: Steering, Suspension, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Nissan Serena 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 Serena'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 Serena specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are track rod ends worn (17x the average) and axle or kingpin wear (10x).
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 Serena specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (22x the average) and track rod ends worn (13x). axle or kingpin wear (10x) and headlight fault (6.2x) 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 Serena specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (16x the average) and track rod ends worn (9.3x). axle or kingpin wear (8.1x) and axle or kingpin wear also appear frequently.
The shift from track rod ends worn at lower mileages to subframe bushes or mounts worn 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.
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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 Serena specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Steering rack gaiter deterioration Major
The steering rack protective gaiters (rubber boots) deteriorate prematurely on 2.0-litre petrol Serenas, allowing dirt and moisture to contaminate the steering rack mechanism. Affects C23, C25; typical independent garage repair cost is £80–£150.
Stub axle swivel pin wear Major
The stub axle swivel pins and bushes wear excessively on 2.0-litre petrol Serenas, with MOT data showing failures at 35.3 times the fleet average between 60-80k miles. Affects C23, C25; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£350.
Steering ball joint wear Major
Steering ball joints develop excessive wear and free play on 2.0-litre petrol Serenas, with MOT failures occurring at 35.3 times the fleet average. Affects C23, C25; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
Suspension component wear
Various suspension pins, bushes, and joints show accelerated wear on 2.0-litre petrol Serenas, with MOT data indicating failures at This typically affects anti-roll bar links, suspension arm bushes, and associated components. Affects C23, C25; typical independent garage repair cost is £100–£250.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Serena common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Serena
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Serena:
Steering — check for track rod ends worn. Suspension — check for axle or kingpin wear, subframe bushes or mounts worn. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about steering rack gaiter deterioration and stub axle swivel pin wear. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £80. 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.
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Nissan Serena MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Serena?
Based on 5,877 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is track rod ends worn — at 17x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include axle or kingpin wear and subframe bushes or mounts worn.
Is the Nissan Serena reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Serena has 4 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag steering rack gaiter 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 Serena most commonly fails on subframe bushes or mounts worn and track rod ends worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are track rod ends worn and axle or kingpin wear.
How do I check a Nissan Serena'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.