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Nissan Cube Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Nissan Cube reliable? We analysed 40,688 real MOT tests across 3,773 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 40,688 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.0%
Typical Mileage
82,123mi
Annual Mileage
5,688mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
23yrs

The Nissan Cube is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Cube.

Nissan Cube Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Nissan Cube. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Nissan Cube MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Nissan Cube to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

76.7%
2021
80.9%
2020
77.2%
2019
79.5%
2018
76%
2017
73.9%
2016
74.8%
2015
73.7%
2014
81.3%
2013
84.2%
2012
76.5%
2011
75.8%
2010
76.3%
2009
76.6%
2008
75.6%
2007
77.9%
2006
76.6%
2005
74.5%
2004
75.1%
2003
69.7%
2002

Nissan Cube Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Nissan Cube fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 416
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 396
position lamp(s) not working 338
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 336

Nissan Cube Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Nissan Cube models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 391

Nissan Cube Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Nissan Cube owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,272 mi/yr
Typical
5,688 mi/yr
Average
6,793 mi/yr
Heavy usage
8,916 mi/yr

Nissan Cube MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan Cube year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2021 279 76.7% 72,228 87,305 111,888
2020 467 80.9% 69,990 94,699 114,890
2019 754 77.2% 78,307 105,064 133,979
2018 628 79.5% 59,876 100,411 130,476
2017 709 76.0% 79,747 108,984 139,213
2016 1,066 73.9% 78,304 112,898 144,642
2015 873 74.8% 81,592 116,616 148,213
2014 615 73.7% 75,765 101,497 132,755
2013 648 81.3% 57,518 83,728 110,078
2012 596 84.2% 53,764 76,500 105,995
2011 1,831 76.5% 47,378 70,001 96,490
2010 16,213 75.8% 38,016 60,306 86,386
2009 2,139 76.3% 61,153 92,229 129,193
2008 2,874 76.6% 73,844 102,581 131,130
2007 2,905 75.6% 67,237 97,136 131,171
2006 1,262 77.9% 69,279 95,183 128,549
2005 1,580 76.6% 76,570 106,261 141,904
2004 2,285 74.5% 79,108 108,943 147,868
2003 1,997 75.1% 76,170 107,636 142,013
2002 608 69.7% 74,240 109,596 158,514

How Long Does a Nissan Cube Last?

Based on 3,773 Nissan Cube vehicles on UK roads.

Average
13.7 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
23 years

Nissan Cube Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Nissan Cube MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
82,123 mi
75th Percentile
116,650 mi
95th Percentile
177,041 mi
Max Recorded
866,466 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Nissan Cube

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2012

84.2% MOT pass rate from 596 tests

Year to avoid
2002

69.7% MOT pass rate from 608 tests

The best year to buy a used Nissan Cube is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.2% across 596 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 69.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Nissan Cube Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Nissan Cube THIS CAR 76.0% 40,688 82,123 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
Volkswagen Delivery Van 65.6% 21,038 48,126 mi 54 yrs

Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Cube sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Nissan Cube?

The Nissan Cube has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.0% across 40,688 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 Cube are windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (416 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (396), and position lamp(s) not working (338). 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 Cube 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 Cube owner drives around 5,688 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 Cube 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.

Nissan Cube — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nissan Cube reliable?
Based on 40,688 MOT tests, the Nissan Cube has a 76.0% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Nissan Cube?
The most common MOT failures are windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Nissan Cube do per year?
The typical Nissan Cube does around 5,688 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Nissan Cube last?
Most Nissan Cube models stay on UK roads for around 23 years based on our analysis of 3,773 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Nissan Cube?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Nissan Cube?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Nissan Cube is 2012 with a 84.2% pass rate across 596 tests.