2006 Nissan 350 Z — MOT failures & pass rate
5,223 MOT tests on the 2006 Nissan 350 Z are in this dataset, and 78.8% of them passed. That is 6.2 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.9%) and emissions & environmental (8.9%) 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 position lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 504 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.8% in the 0-30k band and 24.8% in the 150k+ band, a 18.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 28.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.4% 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% | 465 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 8.9% | 463 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.0% | 364 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.0% | 259 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 221 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.5% | 183 |
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 | 504 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 258 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 202 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 198 |
| 5 | Washers | 150 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 132 |
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 | 28.6% | 1,492 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.9% | 1,301 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.5% | 1,124 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.4% | 492 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 484 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.5% | 236 |
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 | 103 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 915 | 15.6% |
| 60-90k | 1,952 | 21.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,540 | 23.6% |
| 120-150k | 565 | 24.1% |
| 150k+ | 145 | 24.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,156 | 19.7% |
| 2022 | 1,134 | 20.2% |
| 2023 | 1,071 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 965 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 897 | 21.4% |
What to check before buying a 2006 350 Z
On a 2006 350 Z, 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 (8.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (7.0% 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 2006 Nissan 350 Zs pass their MOT?
78.8% of the 5,223 2006 Nissan 350 Z MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Nissan 350 Z?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (8.9%).
Does the 2006 350 Z get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 24.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,223 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.