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Nissan 200 SX Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Nissan 200 SX car check

Is the Nissan 200 SX reliable? We analysed 71,759 real MOT tests across 8,673 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 71,759 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
70.2%
Typical Mileage
97,024mi
Annual Mileage
3,157mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
37yrs

The Nissan 200 SX is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, brake pipe excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan 200 SX.

Nissan 200 SX Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Nissan 200 SX. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Nissan 200 SX MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Nissan 200 SX to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

80%
2017
82.3%
2016
83.8%
2015
76.7%
2011
70.6%
2009
70.6%
2008
77.8%
2007
68.4%
2006
81.6%
2005
76.6%
2004
74.1%
2001
74.6%
2000
73.4%
1999
72.6%
1998
70.6%
1997
70.1%
1996
68.7%
1995
68%
1994
66.7%
1993
66.5%
1992

Nissan 200 SX Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Nissan 200 SX fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 5,770
Brake pipe excessively corroded 5,276
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 3,953
Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded 2,714
Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 2,082
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 1,946
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 1,864
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 1,696
Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 1,692
position lamp(s) not working 1,484

Nissan 200 SX Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Nissan 200 SX owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
1,138 mi/yr
Typical
3,157 mi/yr
Average
4,473 mi/yr
Heavy usage
6,295 mi/yr

Nissan 200 SX MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan 200 SX year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2017 60 80.0% 113,038 137,010 184,682
2016 62 82.3% 114,666 135,904 161,612
2015 68 83.8% 69,988 122,210 159,482
2011 60 76.7% 83,656 108,522 130,820
2009 51 70.6% 68,239 105,619 140,401
2008 68 70.6% 78,634 92,963 119,660
2007 180 77.8% 94,758 119,873 138,272
2006 133 68.4% 82,182 111,631 165,828
2005 87 81.6% 87,646 101,700 120,844
2004 64 76.6% 57,493 84,312 115,865
2001 903 74.1% 49,578 73,287 95,335
2000 7,485 74.6% 61,245 81,316 104,386
1999 11,232 73.4% 61,822 82,572 106,462
1998 7,531 72.6% 69,968 92,292 113,941
1997 6,524 70.6% 77,099 96,536 120,479
1996 5,908 70.1% 79,291 101,733 122,633
1995 5,074 68.7% 82,140 101,595 125,216
1994 4,775 68.0% 82,814 105,065 129,126
1993 4,109 66.7% 86,362 109,470 133,307
1992 5,219 66.5% 90,373 111,465 131,772

How Long Does a Nissan 200 SX Last?

Based on 8,673 Nissan 200 SX vehicles on UK roads.

Average
17.2 years
Median
16.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
37 years

Nissan 200 SX Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Nissan 200 SX MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
97,024 mi
75th Percentile
121,160 mi
95th Percentile
158,452 mi
Max Recorded
990,139 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Nissan 200 SX

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2015

83.8% MOT pass rate from 68 tests

Year to avoid
1991

65.2% MOT pass rate from 5,132 tests

The best year to buy a used Nissan 200 SX is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.8% across 68 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Nissan 200 SX Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Nissan 200 SX THIS CAR 70.2% 71,759 97,024 mi 37 yrs
Nissan Micra 71.4% 10,566,512 55,214 mi 37 yrs
Nissan Qashqai 77.3% 6,506,323 59,398 mi 19 yrs
Nissan Juke 79.3% 3,002,435 49,593 mi 16 yrs
Daimler V8 76.7% 22,704 71,920 mi 63 yrs

Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan 200 SX trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Nissan 200 SX you like?

Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.

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Should you buy a used Nissan 200 SX?

The Nissan 200 SX has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.2% across 71,759 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Nissan 200 SX are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (5,770 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (5,276), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (3,953). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Nissan 200 SX owner drives around 3,157 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Nissan 200 SX models stay on UK roads for around 37 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Nissan 200 SX — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nissan 200 SX reliable?
Based on 71,759 MOT tests, the Nissan 200 SX has a 70.2% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Nissan 200 SX?
The most common MOT failures are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, brake pipe excessively corroded, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Nissan 200 SX do per year?
The typical Nissan 200 SX does around 3,157 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Nissan 200 SX last?
Most Nissan 200 SX models stay on UK roads for around 37 years based on our analysis of 8,673 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Nissan 200 SX?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Nissan 200 SX?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Nissan 200 SX is 2015 with a 83.8% pass rate across 68 tests.