Nissan 350Z Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan 350Z car check
Is the Nissan 350Z reliable? We analysed 2,042 real MOT tests across 277 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan 350Z? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan 350Z is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan 350Z.
Nissan 350Z Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan 350Z. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan 350Z MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan 350Z to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan 350Z Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan 350Z fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan 350Z Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Nissan 350Z models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Nissan 350Z Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan 350Z owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan 350Z MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan 350Z year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 180 | 92.8% | 25,690 | 38,274 | 57,080 |
| 2013 | 73 | 90.4% | 21,425 | 28,969 | 38,129 |
| 2007 | 66 | 83.3% | 47,576 | 57,216 | 69,726 |
| 2006 | 141 | 83.7% | 26,816 | 56,233 | 83,130 |
| 2005 | 173 | 72.8% | 53,288 | 76,141 | 92,678 |
| 2004 | 150 | 70.7% | 34,708 | 49,779 | 69,559 |
| 2003 | 332 | 77.4% | 48,147 | 69,296 | 89,516 |
| 2002 | 121 | 77.7% | 41,003 | 55,390 | 86,828 |
How Long Does a Nissan 350Z Last?
Based on 277 Nissan 350Z vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan 350Z Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan 350Z 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 350Z
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.8% MOT pass rate from 180 tests
70.7% MOT pass rate from 150 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan 350Z is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.8% across 180 tests. The 2004 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan 350Z Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan 350Z THIS CAR | 80.2% | 2,042 | 66,843 mi | 24 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 |
| Vauxhall Corsa Ltd Edtn Cdti Eflex | 82.1% | 1,372 | 83,508 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan 350Z outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan 350Z 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 350ZShould you buy a used Nissan 350Z?
The Nissan 350Z has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.2% across 2,042 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 350Z are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (55 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (18), and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (16). 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 350Z 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 350Z owner drives around 2,765 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 350Z models stay on UK roads for around 24 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.