Nissan Caravan Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan Caravan car check
Is the Nissan Caravan reliable? We analysed 1,835 real MOT tests across 141 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan Caravan? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan Caravan is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering rack gaiter split, fog lamp not working and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Caravan.
Nissan Caravan Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan Caravan. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan Caravan MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan Caravan to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan Caravan Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan Caravan fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan Caravan Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan Caravan owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan Caravan MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan Caravan year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 51 | 60.8% | 91,918 | 123,158 | 171,744 |
| 2011 | 50 | 62.0% | 104,076 | 161,109 | 192,536 |
| 2010 | 199 | 64.8% | 90,738 | 108,168 | 130,999 |
| 2009 | 128 | 63.3% | 121,286 | 181,099 | 207,053 |
| 2008 | 268 | 60.4% | 88,606 | 119,822 | 154,737 |
| 2007 | 190 | 61.1% | 84,292 | 127,179 | 154,059 |
| 2006 | 97 | 69.1% | 136,028 | 169,166 | 213,917 |
| 2005 | 64 | 78.1% | 67,798 | 81,614 | 131,000 |
| 2004 | 125 | 69.6% | 43,381 | 67,539 | 95,845 |
| 2003 | 64 | 65.6% | 96,243 | 114,696 | 175,464 |
| 1999 | 61 | 67.2% | 86,318 | 144,094 | 201,984 |
| 1998 | 162 | 73.5% | 76,828 | 103,216 | 128,970 |
| 1997 | 97 | 70.1% | 87,814 | 117,990 | 142,576 |
How Long Does a Nissan Caravan Last?
Based on 141 Nissan Caravan vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan Caravan Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan Caravan 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 Caravan
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
78.1% MOT pass rate from 64 tests
60.4% MOT pass rate from 268 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan Caravan is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.1% across 64 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan Caravan Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Caravan THIS CAR | 65.9% | 1,835 | 118,621 mi | 29 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 Club 12V | 72.2% | 895 | 85,815 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Caravan trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan Caravan 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 CaravanShould you buy a used Nissan Caravan?
The Nissan Caravan has an overall MOT pass rate of 65.9% across 1,835 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Nissan Caravan are steering rack gaiter split (86 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (71), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (69). 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 Caravan owner drives around 4,686 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 Caravan models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.