Nissan Skyline MOT Failures

An analysis of 1,284 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Skyline — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: R32 (1989–1994), R33 (1993–1998), R34 (1998–2002).

Where the Nissan Skyline fails its MOT

The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Skyline is abs fault — this model is 6.4 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it worth watching for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 1,284 MOT tests, 9.71% of all Nissan Skyline 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 exhaust system damage (72x the fleet average), structural corrosion (11x the fleet average), track rod ends worn (6.1x the fleet average), and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.4x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Skyline'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: Suspension, Bodywork, Steering. If you're inspecting a Nissan Skyline 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 Skyline'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.

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 Skyline specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are exhaust system damage (72x the average) and abs fault (6.4x). track rod ends worn (6.1x) and track rod ends worn 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 Skyline specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are structural corrosion (11x the average) and suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.4x).

The shift from exhaust system damage at lower mileages to structural corrosion 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 Skyline specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.

Oil pump drive failure (pre-Feb 1993) (R32) Dangerous

Early R32 models built before February 1993 have a catastrophic oil pump drive failure mode where the drive coupling between the crankshaft and oil pump can shear without warning. Affects R32.

Subframe corrosion Dangerous

The steel subframes suffer from corrosion that compromises load-bearing capacity around suspension mounting points. Affects R32, R33/R34; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£3,000.

Rust (rear arches / rear screen / inner wings) Major

Rust is endemic on 30+ year old Skylines and represents the primary threat to long-term ownership. Affects R32, R33/R34; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£2,500.

Turbo failure (age-related) Major

The stock ceramic-wheeled turbochargers on RB26DETT engines are now 25-35 years old and commonly fail due to bearing wear, shaft play, or wheel damage. Affects R32, R33/R34; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,800.

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

What to check before buying a Nissan Skyline

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

Suspension — check for abs fault, suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated. Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage, structural corrosion. Steering — check for track rod ends worn.

Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about oil pump drive failure and subframe corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — 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.