2008 Nissan Cube — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,236 MOT tests, the 2008 Nissan Cube recorded an 81.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 26.4% of the time, so this is 7.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.5% of all tests — 6.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and headlamp aim — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 75 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.1% in the 0-30k band and 34.8% in the 150k+ band, a 28.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 21.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 20.0% in 2021 to 18.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 167 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.4% | 92 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.9% | 73 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.6% | 45 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.6% | 44 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.2% | 39 |
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 | 75 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 51 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 45 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 36 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 36 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 36 |
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 | 21.8% | 269 |
| 2 | Tyres | 19.3% | 239 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.2% | 188 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 142 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 86 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.2% | 77 |
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 | 33 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 276 | 10.5% |
| 60-90k | 404 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 218 | 18.8% |
| 120-150k | 147 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 158 | 34.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 200 | 20.0% |
| 2022 | 247 | 21.1% |
| 2023 | 251 | 14.7% |
| 2024 | 282 | 19.1% |
| 2025 | 256 | 18.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Cube
On a 2008 Cube, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.4% 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 (5.9% 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 2008 Nissan Cubes pass their MOT?
81.5% of the 1,236 2008 Nissan Cube MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Nissan Cube?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by suspension (7.4%).
Does the 2008 Cube get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,236 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.