Nissan Maxima Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan Maxima car check
Is the Nissan Maxima reliable? We analysed 29,336 real MOT tests across 4,121 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan Maxima? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan Maxima is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include constant velocity joint gaiter split, brake pipe excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Maxima.
Nissan Maxima Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan Maxima. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan Maxima MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan Maxima to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan Maxima Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan Maxima fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan Maxima Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan Maxima owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan Maxima MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan Maxima year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 60 | 75.0% | 49,303 | 84,622 | 108,480 |
| 2004 | 65 | 69.2% | 50,540 | 75,704 | 107,957 |
| 2002 | 980 | 78.4% | 45,356 | 70,836 | 101,884 |
| 2001 | 1,104 | 76.4% | 54,660 | 73,976 | 101,350 |
| 2000 | 2,063 | 71.5% | 53,470 | 74,505 | 104,168 |
| 1999 | 3,956 | 70.4% | 65,281 | 87,067 | 113,823 |
| 1998 | 3,948 | 69.5% | 70,242 | 93,572 | 116,910 |
| 1997 | 4,094 | 66.6% | 75,842 | 97,550 | 123,038 |
| 1996 | 5,586 | 65.2% | 82,718 | 106,955 | 133,425 |
| 1995 | 4,452 | 64.4% | 84,167 | 108,994 | 135,554 |
| 1994 | 920 | 65.4% | 67,172 | 94,500 | 122,577 |
| 1993 | 895 | 63.1% | 72,731 | 97,476 | 123,383 |
| 1992 | 339 | 65.8% | 78,334 | 104,384 | 127,378 |
| 1991 | 188 | 65.4% | 63,668 | 84,262 | 110,013 |
| 1990 | 227 | 63.0% | 60,514 | 89,568 | 108,078 |
| 1989 | 131 | 64.1% | 77,670 | 98,365 | 125,282 |
How Long Does a Nissan Maxima Last?
Based on 4,121 Nissan Maxima vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan Maxima Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan Maxima 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 Maxima
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
78.4% MOT pass rate from 980 tests
63.0% MOT pass rate from 227 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan Maxima is 2002, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.4% across 980 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan Maxima Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Maxima THIS CAR | 67.9% | 29,336 | 95,766 mi | 34 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 |
| Land Rover 90 | 71.3% | 13,974 | 103,065 mi | 63 yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Maxima trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan Maxima 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 MaximaShould you buy a used Nissan Maxima?
The Nissan Maxima has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.9% across 29,336 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Nissan Maxima are constant velocity joint gaiter split (2,265 recorded failures), brake pipe excessively corroded (1,672), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1,459). 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 Maxima owner drives around 4,912 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 Maxima models stay on UK roads for around 34 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.