Nissan Cherry Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan Cherry car check
Is the Nissan Cherry reliable? We analysed 5,953 real MOT tests across 1,201 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan Cherry? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan Cherry is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Cherry.
Nissan Cherry Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan Cherry. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan Cherry MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan Cherry to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan Cherry Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan Cherry fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan Cherry Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan Cherry owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan Cherry MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan Cherry year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 2,173 | 64.6% | 48,218 | 66,682 | 91,761 |
| 1985 | 1,977 | 65.9% | 43,778 | 63,610 | 86,311 |
| 1984 | 745 | 67.7% | 37,620 | 58,441 | 77,754 |
| 1983 | 296 | 68.2% | 28,688 | 47,756 | 64,574 |
| 1982 | 247 | 73.3% | 22,817 | 37,709 | 56,671 |
| 1981 | 140 | 75.7% | 15,776 | 33,110 | 49,304 |
| 1980 | 118 | 76.3% | 28,787 | 49,279 | 72,547 |
| 1979 | 58 | 69.0% | 40,985 | 52,676 | 61,988 |
| 1976 | 64 | 67.2% | 15,639 | 38,933 | 49,886 |
How Long Does a Nissan Cherry Last?
Based on 1,201 Nissan Cherry vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan Cherry Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan Cherry 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 Cherry
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.3% MOT pass rate from 118 tests
64.6% MOT pass rate from 2,173 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan Cherry is 1980, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.3% across 118 tests. The 1986 model year has the lowest pass rate at 64.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan Cherry Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Cherry THIS CAR | 66.7% | 5,953 | 61,072 mi | 46 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 |
| Yamaha XT 125 R | 71.1% | 4,195 | 5,585 mi | 21 yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Cherry trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan Cherry 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 CherryShould you buy a used Nissan Cherry?
The Nissan Cherry has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.7% across 5,953 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Nissan Cherry are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (1,157 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (368), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (359). 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 Cherry owner drives around 1,013 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 Cherry models stay on UK roads for around 46 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.