2009 Nissan 350 Z — MOT failures & pass rate
1,040 MOT tests on the 2009 Nissan 350 Z are in this dataset, and 84.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 25.4% of the time, so this is 9.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.3%) and suspension (5.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, pins and bushes and tread depth — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 39 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.6% once past 120-150k — 4.6× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 23.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 15.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 65 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.4% | 56 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 4.4% | 46 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 43 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.9% | 40 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.8% | 39 |
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 | 39 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 35 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 33 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 27 |
| 6 | Wipers | 25 |
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 | 23.5% | 244 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.7% | 215 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.6% | 141 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 82 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 72 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 36 |
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 | 64 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 331 | 12.7% |
| 60-90k | 420 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 158 | 19.6% |
| 120-150k | 49 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 232 | 15.1% |
| 2022 | 223 | 16.6% |
| 2023 | 218 | 17.4% |
| 2024 | 188 | 13.8% |
| 2025 | 179 | 16.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 350 Z
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 6.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (6.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.4% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (4.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2009 Nissan 350 Zs pass their MOT?
84.0% of the 1,040 2009 Nissan 350 Z MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Nissan 350 Z?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by suspension (5.4%).
Does the 2009 350 Z get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,040 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.