2003 Nissan Cube — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Nissan Cube passed 77.1% of its 388 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 27.5% of the time, so this is 4.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests against 7.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp and catalyst emissions — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 30 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 27.1% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 70 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.7% | 30 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.7% | 26 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.7% | 26 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 23 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.9% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 30 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 29 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 28 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 5 | Wipers | 19 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 18 |
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 | 39.4% | 153 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.2% | 90 |
| 3 | Tyres | 17.0% | 66 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 49 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.6% | 45 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.1% | 43 |
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 | 45 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 84 | 17.9% |
| 90-120k | 130 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 55 | 20.0% |
| 150k+ | 70 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 58 | 20.7% |
| 2022 | 64 | 23.4% |
| 2023 | 52 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 114 | 24.6% |
| 2025 | 100 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Cube
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.7% 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.
- Brakes (6.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2003 Nissan Cubes pass their MOT?
77.1% of the 388 2003 Nissan Cube MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan Cube?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by suspension (7.7%).
Does the 2003 Cube get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 27.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 388 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.