1999 Nissan 200 Sx — MOT failures & pass rate
844 MOT tests on the 1999 Nissan 200 Sx are in this dataset, and 85.7% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (26.1% fail rate), the 1999 200 Sx comes out 11.7pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.9%) and suspension (6.6%) 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, catalyst emissions and washers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 49 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1999 200 Sx fails 21.4% of the time in the 30-60k band and 21.5% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 23.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 75 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.6% | 56 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.2% | 44 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.0% | 42 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 37 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 28 |
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 | 49 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 40 |
| 3 | Washers | 36 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 23 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 20 |
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 | 23.1% | 195 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.0% | 152 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.1% | 136 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.4% | 105 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.3% | 104 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.1% | 68 |
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 | 103 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 207 | 11.1% |
| 90-120k | 251 | 10.8% |
| 120-150k | 186 | 17.2% |
| 150k+ | 79 | 21.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 189 | 13.8% |
| 2022 | 186 | 14.5% |
| 2023 | 161 | 11.8% |
| 2024 | 156 | 16.0% |
| 2025 | 152 | 15.8% |
What to check before buying a 1999 200 Sx
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 8.9% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Suspension (6.6% 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.
- Visibility (5.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 1999 Nissan 200 Sxs pass their MOT?
85.7% of the 844 1999 Nissan 200 Sx MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Nissan 200 Sx?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by suspension (6.6%).
Does the 1999 200 Sx get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.4% in the 30-60k band to 21.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 844 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.