2003 Nissan D22 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Nissan D22 passed 70.3% of its 1,316 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.0 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.7%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.0%) and brakes (15.0%) 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 ball joint — service brake performance alone was recorded 145 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.9% versus 18.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 44.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 28.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 210 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.0% | 197 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 195 |
| 4 | Suspension | 14.3% | 188 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 103 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.8% | 63 |
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 | 145 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 122 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 111 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 96 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 95 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 90 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 44.6% | 587 |
| 2 | Suspension | 44.1% | 581 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 31.2% | 410 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.7% | 286 |
| 5 | Tyres | 19.8% | 261 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.5% | 165 |
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 | 80 | 18.8% |
| 60-90k | 177 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 378 | 29.9% |
| 120-150k | 353 | 34.3% |
| 150k+ | 317 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 387 | 28.4% |
| 2022 | 335 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 262 | 31.3% |
| 2024 | 187 | 26.7% |
| 2025 | 145 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 2003 D22
On a 2003 D22, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.8% 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+.
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 D22s pass their MOT?
70.3% of the 1,316 2003 Nissan D22 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan D22?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by brakes (15.0%).
Does the 2003 D22 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.8% in the 30-60k band to 30.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,316 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.