2018 Nissan 350 Z — MOT failures & pass rate
335 MOT tests on the 2018 Nissan 350 Z are in this dataset, and 92.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (10.8% fail rate), the 2018 350 Z comes out 3.6pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.8%) and visibility (1.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, registration plates and headlamp — tread depth alone was recorded 17 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 17.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 2.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.8% | 16 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.8% | 6 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 5 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.2% | 4 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.9% | 3 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 2 |
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 | 17 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 4 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 4 |
| 4 | Washers | 3 |
| 5 | Wipers | 3 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 3 |
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 | 17.3% | 58 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.6% | 12 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.1% | 7 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.8% | 6 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.8% | 6 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.2% | 4 |
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 | 237 | 5.5% |
| 30-60k | 76 | 11.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77 | 2.6% |
| 2022 | 71 | 8.5% |
| 2023 | 70 | 7.1% |
| 2024 | 58 | 10.3% |
| 2025 | 59 | 8.5% |
What to check before buying a 2018 350 Z
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.8% 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.
- Visibility (1.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% 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 2018 Nissan 350 Zs pass their MOT?
92.8% of the 335 2018 Nissan 350 Z MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Nissan 350 Z?
Tyres, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by visibility (1.8%).
Does the 2018 350 Z get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 0-30k band to 11.8% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 335 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.