Nissan 200 Sx MOT pass rate & common failures
4,780 MOT tests on the Nissan 200 Sx (1985–2021) give it an 86.6% pass rate. That is 11.0 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.5%. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.4%) and suspension (5.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 295 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 15.8% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 19.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every 200 Sx model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 192 | 88.0% | 12.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1990 | 205 | 87.8% | 12.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1991 | 280 | 88.9% | 11.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1992 | 327 | 85.3% | 14.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1993 | 273 | 85.7% | 14.3% | Emissions & environmental |
| 1994 | 266 | 85.7% | 14.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1995 | 241 | 88.8% | 11.2% | Emissions & environmental |
| 1996 | 316 | 88.0% | 12.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1997 | 375 | 84.8% | 15.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1998 | 511 | 89.0% | 11.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1999 | 844 | 85.7% | 14.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2000 | 679 | 82.9% | 17.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2001 | 82 | 85.4% | 14.6% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 403 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.9% | 284 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 236 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 195 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.9% | 187 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.6% | 174 |
| 7 | Steering | 2.2% | 104 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 1.7% | 79 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 295 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 263 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 180 |
| 4 | Washers | 140 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 115 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 112 |
| 7 | Position lamp | 102 |
| 8 | Headlamp | 93 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.5% | 933 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.0% | 860 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.5% | 695 |
| 4 | Tyres | 13.1% | 626 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.6% | 554 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.0% | 333 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 130 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 409 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,116 | 12.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,502 | 13.3% |
| 120-150k | 992 | 13.2% |
| 150k+ | 595 | 15.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,105 | 14.1% |
| 2022 | 1,005 | 14.9% |
| 2023 | 925 | 12.2% |
| 2024 | 873 | 12.5% |
| 2025 | 872 | 13.1% |
What to check before buying a Nissan 200 Sx
- Lighting & signalling (8.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (4.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan 200 Sx?
86.6% of the 4,780 Nissan 200 Sx MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 13.4% fail rate, across model years 1985–2021.
What does the Nissan 200 Sx most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.4% of tests, then suspension (5.9%).
How much does mileage affect 200 Sx MOT results?
Fail rates run at 8.5% for cars in the 0-30k band and 15.8% for 150k+, a 7.3-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,780 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.