Nissan D22 MOT pass rate & common failures
The Nissan D22 appears in 5,612 MOT tests spanning model years 1997–2010, and 71.2% of them passed. That is 1.4 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.4%. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.8%) and brakes (15.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, chassis condition and rigid brake pipes — service brake performance alone was recorded 611 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.4% versus 21.5%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 42.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 28.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every D22 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 127 | 70.1% | 29.9% | Suspension |
| 2000 | 155 | 70.3% | 29.7% | Brakes |
| 2001 | 210 | 67.1% | 32.9% | Suspension |
| 2002 | 530 | 71.3% | 28.7% | Brakes |
| 2003 | 1,316 | 70.3% | 29.7% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2004 | 1,973 | 72.8% | 27.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2005 | 750 | 70.3% | 29.7% | Brakes |
| 2006 | 75 | 74.7% | 25.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2007 | 156 | 65.4% | 34.6% | Brakes |
| 2008 | 125 | 71.2% | 28.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 168 | 71.4% | 28.6% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 889 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.2% | 854 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.1% | 734 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 689 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.0% | 446 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.2% | 236 |
| 7 | Tyres | 3.5% | 195 |
| 8 | Emissions & environmental | 2.7% | 154 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 611 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 412 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 395 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 387 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 354 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 328 |
| 7 | Exhaust system | 307 |
| 8 | Headlamp aim | 306 |
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 | 42.1% | 2,365 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.8% | 2,235 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.9% | 1,678 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.1% | 1,184 |
| 5 | Tyres | 18.6% | 1,042 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.5% | 647 |
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 | 65 | 21.5% |
| 30-60k | 327 | 23.8% |
| 60-90k | 919 | 25.7% |
| 90-120k | 1,533 | 28.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,562 | 30.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,140 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,595 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 1,299 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 1,093 | 29.8% |
| 2024 | 890 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 735 | 30.2% |
What to check before buying a Nissan D22
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.2% 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.
- Suspension (13.1% 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.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan D22?
71.2% of the 5,612 Nissan D22 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 28.8% fail rate, across model years 1997–2010.
What does the Nissan D22 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, then brakes (15.2%).
How much does mileage affect D22 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 21.5% for cars in the 0-30k band and 31.4% for 150k+, a 9.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,612 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.