1992 Nissan 200 Sx — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 327 MOT tests, the 1992 Nissan 200 Sx recorded an 85.3% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 22.9% of the time, so this is 8.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.6%) and suspension (7.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, chassis condition and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 33 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.3% in the 60-90k band and 17.5% in the 150k+ band, a 13.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 22.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 16.2% in 2021 to 9.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 25 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.3% | 24 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.8% | 19 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.2% | 17 |
| 5 | Brakes | 4.3% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.4% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 33 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 15 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 14 |
| 4 | Washers | 14 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 8 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 8 |
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 | 22.6% | 74 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.2% | 53 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.0% | 49 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 45 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.8% | 32 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.3% | 24 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 47 | 4.3% |
| 90-120k | 86 | 11.6% |
| 120-150k | 111 | 22.5% |
| 150k+ | 40 | 17.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68 | 16.2% |
| 2022 | 67 | 20.9% |
| 2023 | 74 | 12.2% |
| 2024 | 66 | 13.6% |
| 2025 | 52 | 9.6% |
What to check before buying a 1992 200 Sx
On a 1992 200 Sx, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (5.8% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1992 Nissan 200 Sxs pass their MOT?
85.3% of the 327 1992 Nissan 200 Sx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Nissan 200 Sx?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by suspension (7.3%).
Does the 1992 200 Sx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.3% in the 60-90k band to 17.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 327 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.