1996 Nissan 200 Sx — MOT failures & pass rate
316 MOT tests on the 1996 Nissan 200 Sx are in this dataset, and 88.0% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (24.7% fail rate), the 1996 200 Sx comes out 12.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 8.9% of all tests — 4.1 points clear of emissions & environmental, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and component mounting prescribed areas — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 28 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.2% in the 30-60k band and 11.1% in the 150k+ band, a 10.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 28 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 15 |
| 3 | Suspension | 4.4% | 14 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.8% | 12 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.9% | 9 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.5% | 8 |
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 | 28 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 9 |
| 4 | Washers | 9 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 8 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 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 | Brakes | 21.8% | 69 |
| 2 | Suspension | 21.5% | 68 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.5% | 52 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.1% | 51 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.4% | 33 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.9% | 28 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 33 | 21.2% |
| 60-90k | 69 | 11.6% |
| 90-120k | 87 | 9.2% |
| 120-150k | 72 | 11.1% |
| 150k+ | 45 | 11.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77 | 9.1% |
| 2022 | 75 | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 58 | 13.8% |
| 2024 | 47 | 14.9% |
| 2025 | 59 | 10.2% |
What to check before buying a 1996 200 Sx
On a 1996 200 Sx, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (4.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (4.4% 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.
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 1996 Nissan 200 Sxs pass their MOT?
88.0% of the 316 1996 Nissan 200 Sx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Nissan 200 Sx?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (4.8%).
Does the 1996 200 Sx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.2% in the 30-60k band to 11.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 316 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.