Nissan Serena Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan Serena car check
Is the Nissan Serena reliable? We analysed 146,285 real MOT tests across 20,632 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan Serena? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan Serena is below average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Serena.
Nissan Serena Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan Serena. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan Serena MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan Serena to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan Serena Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan Serena fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan Serena Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan Serena owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan Serena MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan Serena year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 530 | 79.2% | 78,310 | 100,764 | 133,566 |
| 2020 | 619 | 78.8% | 69,427 | 100,495 | 131,288 |
| 2019 | 920 | 83.4% | 67,490 | 96,262 | 144,988 |
| 2018 | 680 | 77.2% | 58,156 | 90,620 | 125,413 |
| 2017 | 946 | 78.8% | 64,217 | 96,531 | 136,779 |
| 2016 | 693 | 81.4% | 59,258 | 86,494 | 125,214 |
| 2015 | 821 | 81.2% | 64,916 | 92,403 | 134,143 |
| 2014 | 984 | 85.1% | 60,706 | 77,176 | 105,864 |
| 2013 | 1,650 | 84.2% | 65,871 | 82,803 | 109,336 |
| 2012 | 1,218 | 80.6% | 71,439 | 89,949 | 118,850 |
| 2011 | 1,148 | 78.9% | 79,542 | 105,672 | 133,990 |
| 2010 | 2,025 | 78.8% | 78,683 | 103,582 | 129,122 |
| 2009 | 1,495 | 78.2% | 77,388 | 96,971 | 122,432 |
| 2008 | 1,437 | 75.5% | 83,078 | 106,556 | 131,961 |
| 2007 | 1,258 | 73.6% | 86,446 | 112,458 | 145,098 |
| 2006 | 1,170 | 70.9% | 89,519 | 115,639 | 144,610 |
| 2005 | 1,312 | 67.8% | 76,253 | 106,961 | 135,284 |
| 2004 | 1,133 | 65.6% | 88,131 | 111,999 | 143,703 |
| 2003 | 977 | 68.2% | 87,433 | 113,274 | 139,042 |
| 2002 | 1,022 | 65.6% | 94,982 | 116,831 | 143,446 |
How Long Does a Nissan Serena Last?
Based on 20,632 Nissan Serena vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan Serena Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan Serena 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 Serena
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.1% MOT pass rate from 984 tests
60.0% MOT pass rate from 11,641 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan Serena is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.1% across 984 tests. The 1994 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan Serena Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Serena THIS CAR | 64.2% | 146,285 | 99,967 mi | 33 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 |
| Suzuki Celerio | 87.8% | 217,643 | 27,444 mi | 11 yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Serena trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan Serena 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 SerenaShould you buy a used Nissan Serena?
The Nissan Serena has an overall MOT pass rate of 64.2% across 146,285 real MOT tests — below the UK average, so reliability should be a key concern.
The most common problems on the Nissan Serena are brake pipe excessively corroded (19,194 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (18,608), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (9,711). 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 Serena owner drives around 6,048 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 Serena models stay on UK roads for around 33 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.