Nissan 300ZX Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan 300ZX car check
Is the Nissan 300ZX reliable? We analysed 1,950 real MOT tests across 211 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan 300ZX? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan 300ZX is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, fog lamp not working and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan 300ZX.
Nissan 300ZX Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan 300ZX. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan 300ZX MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan 300ZX to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan 300ZX Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan 300ZX fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan 300ZX Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan 300ZX owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan 300ZX MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan 300ZX year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 57 | 71.9% | 67,491 | 86,044 | 111,275 |
| 2007 | 105 | 74.3% | 82,741 | 98,818 | 112,724 |
| 2006 | 71 | 71.8% | 64,242 | 104,808 | 121,822 |
| 2005 | 211 | 74.4% | 66,978 | 88,756 | 103,797 |
| 2004 | 249 | 74.7% | 76,542 | 104,808 | 131,364 |
| 2003 | 207 | 67.1% | 64,448 | 80,122 | 91,265 |
| 2002 | 59 | 78.0% | 77,844 | 89,453 | 116,832 |
| 2000 | 147 | 68.7% | 78,810 | 95,359 | 146,857 |
| 1999 | 75 | 77.3% | 82,232 | 102,001 | 132,671 |
| 1998 | 118 | 74.6% | 86,070 | 92,004 | 105,865 |
| 1993 | 52 | 73.1% | 69,412 | 93,934 | 102,834 |
| 1992 | 58 | 69.0% | 112,138 | 132,056 | 144,232 |
| 1991 | 201 | 69.2% | 76,825 | 103,963 | 122,463 |
| 1990 | 141 | 61.0% | 69,376 | 87,889 | 102,354 |
| 1989 | 54 | 75.9% | 47,450 | 87,334 | 90,129 |
How Long Does a Nissan 300ZX Last?
Based on 211 Nissan 300ZX vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan 300ZX Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan 300ZX 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 300ZX
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
78.0% MOT pass rate from 59 tests
61.0% MOT pass rate from 141 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan 300ZX is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.0% across 59 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan 300ZX Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan 300ZX THIS CAR | 71.6% | 1,950 | 93,679 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 |
| Honda Cbr 1000 Ra-a | 89.4% | 1,515 | 11,774 mi | 16 yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan 300ZX sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan 300ZX 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 300ZXShould you buy a used Nissan 300ZX?
The Nissan 300ZX has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.6% across 1,950 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Nissan 300ZX are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (95 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (88), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (60). 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 300ZX owner drives around 1,315 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 300ZX 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.