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Nissan MPV Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Nissan MPV reliable? We analysed 1,569 real MOT tests across 112 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,569 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.3%
Typical Mileage
123,236mi
Annual Mileage
5,571mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
31yrs

The Nissan MPV 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 MPV.

Nissan MPV Number Plates

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

Nissan MPV MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

54.9%
2012
65.7%
2010
65.3%
2009
71.3%
2008
66.1%
2007
75.4%
2005
70%
2004
71%
2002
71.6%
2001
66.7%
2000
72.7%
1998
66.7%
1997
62.5%
1996
63.5%
1995

Nissan MPV Problems — What Goes Wrong?

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

Steering rack gaiter split 68
fog lamp not working 56
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 55
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 39
position lamp(s) not working 38
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 35
parking brake recording little or no effort 34
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 33
Registration plate lamp not working 32
Brake pipe excessively corroded 32

Nissan MPV Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
2,659 mi/yr
Typical
5,571 mi/yr
Average
6,984 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,013 mi/yr

Nissan MPV MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2012 51 54.9% 114,860 123,265 164,657
2010 105 65.7% 91,296 118,118 148,406
2009 98 65.3% 113,138 149,699 178,256
2008 157 71.3% 71,494 121,672 180,458
2007 165 66.1% 85,852 126,993 166,589
2005 61 75.4% 100,613 112,149 138,034
2004 110 70.0% 90,460 125,078 139,679
2002 62 71.0% 73,514 103,848 153,405
2001 81 71.6% 83,953 141,301 181,499
2000 54 66.7% 81,840 107,605 138,633
1998 121 72.7% 87,996 111,139 137,322
1997 117 66.7% 96,094 143,531 185,478
1996 96 62.5% 109,155 140,111 164,328
1995 52 63.5% 77,777 96,392 109,322

How Long Does a Nissan MPV Last?

Based on 112 Nissan MPV vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.5 years
Median
14.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
31 years

Nissan MPV Mileage Distribution

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

Median
123,236 mi
75th Percentile
160,186 mi
95th Percentile
215,803 mi
Max Recorded
715,428 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Nissan MPV

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

Best year
2005

75.4% MOT pass rate from 61 tests

Year to avoid
2012

54.9% MOT pass rate from 51 tests

The best year to buy a used Nissan MPV is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.4% across 61 tests. The 2012 model year has the lowest pass rate at 54.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Nissan MPV Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Nissan MPV THIS CAR 68.3% 1,569 123,236 mi 31 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 T-roc United TSI 92.7% 1,049 30,367 mi — yrs

Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan MPV trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Nissan MPV 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.

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Should you buy a used Nissan MPV?

The Nissan MPV has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.3% across 1,569 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Nissan MPV are steering rack gaiter split (68 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (56), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (55). 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 MPV owner drives around 5,571 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 MPV models stay on UK roads for around 31 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 MPV — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nissan MPV reliable?
Based on 1,569 MOT tests, the Nissan MPV has a 68.3% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Nissan MPV?
The most common MOT failures are steering rack gaiter split, fog lamp not working, and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Nissan MPV do per year?
The typical Nissan MPV does around 5,571 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Nissan MPV last?
Most Nissan MPV models stay on UK roads for around 31 years based on our analysis of 112 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Nissan MPV?
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 MPV?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Nissan MPV is 2005 with a 75.4% pass rate across 61 tests.