2011 Nissan 370 Z — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Nissan 370 Z passed 88.5% of its 1,709 recorded MOT tests. That is 11.6 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.7%) and tyres (3.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, catalyst emissions and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 56 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.2% in the 0-30k band and 13.4% in the 90-120k band, a 5.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 63 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.5% | 60 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.1% | 53 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 52 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.0% | 34 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.9% | 32 |
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 | 56 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 49 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 4 | Washers | 37 |
| 5 | Wipers | 33 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 21 |
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 | 20.3% | 346 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.0% | 240 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.5% | 230 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 5.2% | 89 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 85 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.2% | 55 |
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 | 171 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 687 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 647 | 13.6% |
| 90-120k | 179 | 13.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 365 | 11.0% |
| 2022 | 350 | 11.4% |
| 2023 | 354 | 12.4% |
| 2024 | 328 | 12.5% |
| 2025 | 312 | 9.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 370 Z
On a 2011 370 Z, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.5% 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 (3.1% 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 2011 Nissan 370 Zs pass their MOT?
88.5% of the 1,709 2011 Nissan 370 Z MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Nissan 370 Z?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.7% of tests, followed by tyres (3.5%).
Does the 2011 370 Z get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 13.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,709 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.