1990 Nissan Bluebird — MOT failures & pass rate
383 MOT tests on the 1990 Nissan Bluebird are in this dataset, and 78.3% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (21.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (9.1%) and suspension (8.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, washers and joints — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 29 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1990 Bluebird fails 22.4% of the time in the 30-60k band and 22.6% at 120-150k, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 36.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.1% | 35 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.6% | 33 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.4% | 32 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.8% | 30 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 26 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.9% | 11 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 29 |
| 2 | Washers | 22 |
| 3 | Joints | 19 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 17 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 17 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 15 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 36.8% | 141 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.9% | 103 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.0% | 92 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.1% | 73 |
| 5 | Tyres | 13.8% | 53 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.8% | 26 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 58 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 127 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 97 | 27.8% |
| 120-150k | 62 | 22.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 95 | 23.2% |
| 2022 | 78 | 15.4% |
| 2023 | 84 | 22.6% |
| 2024 | 61 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 65 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 1990 Bluebird
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: body, structure & corrosion accounted for 9.1% of tests. Start there.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (8.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.4% 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 1990 Nissan Bluebirds pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 383 1990 Nissan Bluebird MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Nissan Bluebird?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by suspension (8.6%).
Does the 1990 Bluebird get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.4% in the 30-60k band to 22.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 383 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.