Nissan 350 Z Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan 350 Z car check
Is the Nissan 350 Z reliable? We analysed 157,558 real MOT tests across 9,580 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan 350 Z? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan 350 Z is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan 350 Z.
Nissan 350 Z Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan 350 Z. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan 350 Z MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan 350 Z to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan 350 Z Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan 350 Z fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan 350 Z Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Nissan 350 Z models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Nissan 350 Z Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan 350 Z owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan 350 Z MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan 350 Z year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 134 | 88.1% | 14,660 | 22,620 | 35,147 |
| 2018 | 338 | 89.9% | 14,437 | 23,788 | 36,740 |
| 2017 | 470 | 91.5% | 14,349 | 22,822 | 34,906 |
| 2016 | 717 | 90.4% | 17,392 | 27,490 | 42,302 |
| 2015 | 789 | 91.0% | 19,195 | 30,022 | 45,786 |
| 2014 | 500 | 91.4% | 18,944 | 28,300 | 44,012 |
| 2013 | 651 | 91.7% | 27,241 | 39,318 | 53,712 |
| 2012 | 387 | 91.0% | 25,324 | 41,094 | 61,180 |
| 2011 | 270 | 88.5% | 41,235 | 54,244 | 72,468 |
| 2010 | 438 | 82.6% | 31,918 | 50,661 | 74,742 |
| 2009 | 3,653 | 83.2% | 32,262 | 51,444 | 73,748 |
| 2008 | 9,582 | 80.4% | 36,043 | 56,276 | 78,286 |
| 2007 | 17,636 | 79.8% | 37,113 | 57,792 | 80,727 |
| 2006 | 25,089 | 79.1% | 38,030 | 59,155 | 83,051 |
| 2005 | 36,949 | 78.6% | 38,370 | 59,563 | 84,262 |
| 2004 | 42,543 | 78.0% | 42,492 | 66,016 | 91,006 |
| 2003 | 15,135 | 77.2% | 43,927 | 65,626 | 90,526 |
| 2002 | 1,687 | 75.2% | 42,093 | 65,122 | 90,260 |
How Long Does a Nissan 350 Z Last?
Based on 9,580 Nissan 350 Z vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan 350 Z Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan 350 Z 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 350 Z
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.7% MOT pass rate from 651 tests
75.2% MOT pass rate from 1,687 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan 350 Z is 2013, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.7% across 651 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan 350 Z Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan 350 Z THIS CAR | 79.0% | 157,558 | 60,376 mi | 23 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 |
| BMW 635 | 78.7% | 51,017 | 94,611 mi | 43 yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan 350 Z outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan 350 Z 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 350 ZShould you buy a used Nissan 350 Z?
The Nissan 350 Z has an overall MOT pass rate of 79.0% across 157,558 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Nissan 350 Z are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (6,075 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (1,895), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (1,682). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Nissan 350 Z with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Nissan 350 Z owner drives around 3,865 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 350 Z models stay on UK roads for around 23 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.