2016 Nissan 350 Z — MOT failures & pass rate
533 MOT tests on the 2016 Nissan 350 Z are in this dataset, and 92.3% of them passed. That is 6.3 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 14.0%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.6%) and lighting & signalling (1.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and wipers — tread depth alone was recorded 16 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2016 350 Z fails 6.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.1% at 60-90k, a spread of only 2.0 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 16.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 7.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.6% | 19 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 10 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.5% | 8 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.3% | 7 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 5 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.8% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 16 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 3 | Wipers | 7 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 4 |
| 5 | Wheel bearings | 4 |
| 6 | Attachment | 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 | 16.7% | 89 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.0% | 32 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.6% | 30 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 13 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.3% | 7 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 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 | 261 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 229 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 37 | 8.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 137 | 5.8% |
| 2022 | 116 | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 112 | 8.9% |
| 2024 | 87 | 10.3% |
| 2025 | 81 | 7.4% |
What to check before buying a 2016 350 Z
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.6% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.5% 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 2016 Nissan 350 Zs pass their MOT?
92.3% of the 533 2016 Nissan 350 Z MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Nissan 350 Z?
Tyres, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.9%).
Does the 2016 350 Z get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 8.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 533 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.