Nissan Tiida MOT Failures
An analysis of 10,732 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Tiida — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: C11 (2007–2012).
Where the Nissan Tiida fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Tiida is subframe bushes or mounts worn — this model is 41 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 10,732 MOT tests, 7.62% of all Nissan Tiida 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 parking brake inoperative on one side (20x the fleet average), structural corrosion (24x the fleet average), suspension pin, bush or joint worn (21x the fleet average), and exhaust system damage (17x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Tiida'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, Brakes, Bodywork, Exhaust & Emissions, Lights & Electrics. If you're inspecting a Nissan Tiida 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 Tiida'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 Tiida specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (41x the average) and structural corrosion (24x). suspension pin, bush or joint worn (21x) and parking brake inoperative on one side (20x) 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 Tiida specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (19x the average) and electrical wiring fault (13x). parking brake inoperative on one side (11x) and light unit fault (9.1x) 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 Tiida specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are subframe bushes or mounts worn (15x the average) and wheel bearings worn (7.8x).
Found a Nissan Tiida you like?
Check its dealer service history before you commit.
£6.99 · Full refund if no records found
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 Tiida specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Brake pipe corrosion (C11) Dangerous
Brake pipes on the Tiida corrode at 9.7 times the national fleet average rate, with additional failures in brake hose ferrules at 8.2 times the average. Affects C11; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£500.
Subframe structural weakness (C11) Dangerous
This indicates structural weakness in critical areas where the subframe connects to the body shell, typically caused by inadequate corrosion protection or insufficient material thickness. Affects C11; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£1,200.
Suspension bush and joint wear (C11) Major
The Tiida suspension system uses rubber bushes and ball joints that show premature wear compared to the national fleet average. Affects C11; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
Suspension component corrosion (C11) Major
MOT data shows suspension components suffer damage or corrosion at 7.0 times the national fleet average, typically manifesting from 40,000 miles upward. Affects C11; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£700.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Tiida common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Tiida
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Tiida:
Suspension — check for subframe bushes or mounts worn, suspension pin, bush or joint worn, wheel bearings worn. Brakes — check for parking brake inoperative on one side. Bodywork — check for structural corrosion, exhaust system damage.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about brake pipe corrosion and subframe structural weakness. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £200. 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.
Check this Nissan Tiida's service history
See every franchised dealer visit, dates, mileage readings, and work done. Know whether the maintenance that prevents these MOT failures was actually done.
£6.99 · Full refund if no records found
Nissan Tiida MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Tiida?
Based on 10,732 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is subframe bushes or mounts worn — at 41x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include parking brake inoperative on one side and structural corrosion.
Is the Nissan Tiida reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Tiida has 13 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag brake pipe corrosion 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 Tiida most commonly fails on subframe bushes or mounts worn and wheel bearings worn. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are subframe bushes or mounts worn and structural corrosion.
How do I check a Nissan Tiida'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.