2015 Nissan 350 Z — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2015 Nissan 350 Z passed 92.3% of its 520 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 15.9% of the time, so this is 8.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, emissions & environmental and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.1%) and emissions & environmental (2.7%) 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 tread depth — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 16 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.8% in the 0-30k band and 12.3% in the 60-90k band, a 6.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 9.8% in 2021 to 4.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.1% | 16 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 14 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 13 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 13 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.7% | 9 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.1% | 6 |
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 | 16 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 4 | Wipers | 11 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 8 |
| 6 | Washers | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.6% | 102 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.2% | 32 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.8% | 30 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 15 |
| 5 | Other defects | 2.3% | 12 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 5 |
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 | 189 | 5.8% |
| 30-60k | 261 | 7.7% |
| 60-90k | 57 | 12.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 143 | 9.8% |
| 2022 | 105 | 3.8% |
| 2023 | 109 | 10.1% |
| 2024 | 82 | 8.5% |
| 2025 | 81 | 4.9% |
What to check before buying a 2015 350 Z
On a 2015 350 Z, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Emissions & environmental (2.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (2.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2015 Nissan 350 Zs pass their MOT?
92.3% of the 520 2015 Nissan 350 Z MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Nissan 350 Z?
Tyres, recorded in 3.1% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (2.7%).
Does the 2015 350 Z get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.8% in the 0-30k band to 12.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 520 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.