Nissan Pao Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan Pao car check
Is the Nissan Pao reliable? We analysed 1,834 real MOT tests across 141 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan Pao? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan Pao is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, steering rack gaiter split and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Pao.
Nissan Pao Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan Pao. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan Pao MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan Pao to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan Pao Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan Pao fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan Pao Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan Pao owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan Pao MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan Pao year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 54 | 66.7% | 88,170 | 132,044 | 141,646 |
| 2014 | 52 | 61.5% | 112,670 | 157,154 | 185,506 |
| 2011 | 53 | 66.0% | 65,570 | 134,174 | 473,864 |
| 2007 | 269 | 65.1% | 97,110 | 107,987 | 137,228 |
| 2006 | 249 | 65.1% | 82,450 | 128,127 | 144,497 |
| 2005 | 171 | 74.3% | 85,984 | 113,798 | 147,078 |
| 2004 | 78 | 71.8% | 116,100 | 174,460 | 201,304 |
| 2003 | 140 | 62.9% | 112,819 | 132,882 | 155,820 |
| 1990 | 290 | 67.9% | 87,466 | 120,852 | 143,757 |
| 1989 | 185 | 72.4% | 85,957 | 109,510 | 132,524 |
How Long Does a Nissan Pao Last?
Based on 141 Nissan Pao vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan Pao Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan Pao 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 Pao
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
74.3% MOT pass rate from 171 tests
61.5% MOT pass rate from 52 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan Pao is 2005, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 74.3% across 171 tests. The 2014 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan Pao Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pao THIS CAR | 67.6% | 1,834 | 121,867 mi | 37 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 |
| Kia Xceed First Edition Isg S-a | 89.5% | 2,398 | 26,452 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Pao trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan Pao 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 PaoShould you buy a used Nissan Pao?
The Nissan Pao has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.6% across 1,834 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Nissan Pao are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (67 recorded failures), steering rack gaiter split (63), and seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (62). 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 Pao owner drives around 2,369 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 Pao models stay on UK roads for around 37 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.