2003 Nissan 350 Z — MOT failures & pass rate
2,045 MOT tests on the 2003 Nissan 350 Z are in this dataset, and 78.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2003 350 Z comes out 5.8pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.2%) and emissions & environmental (9.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and rigid brake pipes — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 196 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 21.2% versus 10.0%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.2% | 228 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 9.6% | 197 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.8% | 179 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.0% | 122 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.8% | 119 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.5% | 92 |
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 | 196 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 109 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 95 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 93 |
| 5 | Washers | 83 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 68 |
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 | 30.2% | 617 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.1% | 595 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.0% | 409 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.5% | 256 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 180 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.2% | 126 |
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 | 30 | 10.0% |
| 30-60k | 244 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 652 | 22.4% |
| 90-120k | 714 | 22.7% |
| 120-150k | 299 | 21.7% |
| 150k+ | 99 | 21.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 486 | 22.4% |
| 2022 | 420 | 21.9% |
| 2023 | 385 | 21.8% |
| 2024 | 390 | 21.0% |
| 2025 | 364 | 22.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 350 Z
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (9.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (8.8% 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 2003 Nissan 350 Zs pass their MOT?
78.1% of the 2,045 2003 Nissan 350 Z MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan 350 Z?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.2% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (9.6%).
Does the 2003 350 Z get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.0% in the 0-30k band to 21.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,045 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.