Nissan 280 Zx Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan 280 Zx car check
Is the Nissan 280 Zx reliable? We analysed 1,623 real MOT tests across 247 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan 280 Zx? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan 280 Zx is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan 280 Zx.
Nissan 280 Zx Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan 280 Zx. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan 280 Zx MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan 280 Zx to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan 280 Zx Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan 280 Zx fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan 280 Zx Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan 280 Zx owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan 280 Zx MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan 280 Zx year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 124 | 73.4% | 32,171 | 77,910 | 88,393 |
| 1983 | 352 | 72.4% | 45,142 | 73,420 | 89,715 |
| 1982 | 446 | 70.4% | 58,464 | 83,549 | 98,489 |
| 1981 | 275 | 70.2% | 31,357 | 57,739 | 92,918 |
| 1980 | 175 | 72.6% | 38,237 | 56,334 | 87,274 |
| 1979 | 131 | 71.8% | 35,196 | 56,204 | 67,970 |
How Long Does a Nissan 280 Zx Last?
Based on 247 Nissan 280 Zx vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan 280 Zx Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan 280 Zx MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Nissan 280 Zx
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.4% MOT pass rate from 124 tests
70.2% MOT pass rate from 275 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan 280 Zx is 1984, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.4% across 124 tests. The 1981 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan 280 Zx Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan 280 Zx THIS CAR | 70.8% | 1,623 | 73,372 mi | 47 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 |
| Yamaha QT50 | 85.2% | 1,263 | 4,970 mi | 44 yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan 280 Zx trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan 280 Zx 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.
Check a specific Nissan 280 ZxShould you buy a used Nissan 280 Zx?
The Nissan 280 Zx has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.8% across 1,623 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Nissan 280 Zx are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (196 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (98), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (62). 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 280 Zx owner drives around 300 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 280 Zx models stay on UK roads for around 47 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.