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Nissan Unknown Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Nissan Unknown reliable? We analysed 9,535 real MOT tests across 2,103 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 9,535 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
78.4%
Typical Mileage
102,766mi
Annual Mileage
5,637mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
27yrs

The Nissan Unknown is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Unknown.

Nissan Unknown Number Plates

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

Nissan Unknown MOT Pass Rate by Year

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

78.6%
2021
82.4%
2020
80.7%
2019
77.9%
2018
75.3%
2017
77.8%
2016
74.5%
2015
76.9%
2014
80.2%
2013
78.6%
2012
81.6%
2011
81.8%
2010
79%
2009
82.1%
2008
79%
2007
78.8%
2006
79.1%
2005
76.8%
2004
74.6%
2003
71.8%
2002

Nissan Unknown Common Faults & Problems

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

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 156
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 54

Nissan Unknown Mileage — What's Normal?

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

Low usage
2,767 mi/yr
Typical
5,637 mi/yr
Average
7,924 mi/yr
Heavy usage
10,070 mi/yr

Nissan Unknown MOT Data by Registration Year

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

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2021 103 78.6% 19,416 44,475 71,587
2020 375 82.4% 68,898 106,343 125,162
2019 812 80.7% 66,584 98,387 132,430
2018 754 77.9% 54,467 88,839 128,678
2017 762 75.3% 67,398 100,386 141,392
2016 1,011 77.8% 63,053 109,116 151,875
2015 502 74.5% 59,426 90,663 128,480
2014 350 76.9% 44,232 70,436 103,123
2013 182 80.2% 50,740 72,916 97,128
2012 201 78.6% 64,240 95,838 131,645
2011 174 81.6% 77,137 96,640 128,665
2010 307 81.8% 83,793 102,303 128,010
2009 267 79.0% 87,125 112,236 131,668
2008 565 82.1% 90,487 112,098 136,351
2007 490 79.0% 85,618 112,040 137,014
2006 500 78.8% 85,515 114,947 143,053
2005 511 79.1% 86,012 109,120 135,847
2004 439 76.8% 75,702 109,697 138,804
2003 319 74.6% 93,352 114,094 138,960
2002 181 71.8% 93,158 114,272 135,838

How Long Does a Nissan Unknown Last?

Based on 2,103 Nissan Unknown vehicles on UK roads.

Average
12.5 years
Median
13.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
27 years

Nissan Unknown Mileage Distribution

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

Median
102,766 mi
75th Percentile
135,770 mi
95th Percentile
189,571 mi
Max Recorded
999,999 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Nissan Unknown

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

Best year
1998

86.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests

Year to avoid
2001

68.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests

The best year to buy a used Nissan Unknown is 1998, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.0% across 50 tests. The 2001 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Nissan Unknown Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Nissan Unknown THIS CAR 78.4% 9,535 102,766 mi 27 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
Vauxhall Astra Sxi 73.5% 7,379 103,027 mi — yrs

Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Unknown outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Nissan Unknown?

The Nissan Unknown has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.4% across 9,535 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

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 Unknown 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 Unknown owner drives around 5,637 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 Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 27 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 Unknown — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nissan Unknown reliable?
Based on 9,535 MOT tests, the Nissan Unknown has a 78.4% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Nissan Unknown?
The most common failure point is general wear and tear.
How many miles does a Nissan Unknown do per year?
The typical Nissan Unknown does around 5,637 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Nissan Unknown last?
Most Nissan Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 27 years based on our analysis of 2,103 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Nissan Unknown?
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 Unknown?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Nissan Unknown is 1998 with a 86.0% pass rate across 50 tests.