2017 Nissan Cube — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 452 MOT tests, the 2017 Nissan Cube recorded a 78.8% pass rate. That is 9.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 12.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.5% of all tests — 9.7 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 38 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.9% in the 30-60k band and 26.0% in the 150k+ band, a 10.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 26.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 79 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.7% | 35 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.3% | 24 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.2% | 19 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.5% | 16 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 14 |
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 | 38 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 20 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 17 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 16 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 13 |
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 | 26.6% | 120 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.0% | 104 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.5% | 97 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 40 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 36 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.9% | 31 |
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 | 44 | 15.9% |
| 60-90k | 122 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 120 | 21.7% |
| 120-150k | 80 | 21.3% |
| 150k+ | 77 | 26.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 104 | 19.2% |
| 2022 | 103 | 18.4% |
| 2023 | 112 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 71 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 62 | 19.4% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Cube
On a 2017 Cube, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% 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 (5.3% 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 2017 Nissan Cubes pass their MOT?
78.8% of the 452 2017 Nissan Cube MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Nissan Cube?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by suspension (7.7%).
Does the 2017 Cube get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.9% in the 30-60k band to 26.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 452 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.