Nissan Altima Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan Altima car check
Is the Nissan Altima reliable? We analysed 1,499 real MOT tests across 380 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan Altima? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan Altima is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include position lamp(s) incorrect colour, side repeater missing and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Altima.
Nissan Altima Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan Altima. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan Altima MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan Altima to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan Altima Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan Altima fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan Altima Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan Altima owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan Altima MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan Altima year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 69 | 75.4% | 41,765 | 62,867 | 104,721 |
| 2014 | 69 | 75.4% | 43,596 | 76,802 | 91,814 |
| 2013 | 89 | 76.4% | 59,513 | 83,122 | 104,609 |
| 2012 | 92 | 73.9% | 50,679 | 68,200 | 89,596 |
| 2011 | 58 | 77.6% | 58,638 | 91,614 | 156,601 |
| 2010 | 81 | 77.8% | 31,250 | 70,676 | 98,300 |
| 2009 | 72 | 68.1% | 49,710 | 80,128 | 120,383 |
| 2008 | 145 | 71.7% | 48,624 | 77,688 | 132,539 |
| 2007 | 82 | 72.0% | 52,271 | 65,710 | 88,458 |
| 2006 | 83 | 67.5% | 54,688 | 79,719 | 100,988 |
| 2005 | 139 | 70.5% | 65,307 | 90,098 | 113,055 |
| 2003 | 110 | 65.5% | 62,176 | 79,016 | 115,548 |
| 2002 | 77 | 68.8% | 51,016 | 81,109 | 123,344 |
How Long Does a Nissan Altima Last?
Based on 380 Nissan Altima vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan Altima Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan Altima 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 Altima
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
77.8% MOT pass rate from 81 tests
65.5% MOT pass rate from 110 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan Altima is 2010, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 77.8% across 81 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan Altima Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Altima THIS CAR | 70.8% | 1,499 | 78,867 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 Astra Sxi Cdti | 71.3% | 1,227 | 125,244 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Altima trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan Altima 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 AltimaShould you buy a used Nissan Altima?
The Nissan Altima has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.8% across 1,499 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Nissan Altima are position lamp(s) incorrect colour (47 recorded failures), side repeater missing (42), and position lamp(s) not working (37). 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 Altima owner drives around 8,831 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 Altima 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.