2004 Nissan D22 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,973 MOT tests, the 2004 Nissan D22 recorded a 72.8% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.3%) and brakes (14.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, rigid brake pipes and ball joint — service brake performance alone was recorded 199 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.3% in the 30-60k band and 30.4% in the 150k+ band, a 7.1-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 301 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.7% | 290 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.6% | 249 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.8% | 214 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 154 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.4% | 67 |
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 | 199 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 134 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 129 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 124 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 112 |
| 6 | Wipers | 105 |
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 | 40.8% | 806 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.8% | 766 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 28.6% | 565 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.8% | 449 |
| 5 | Tyres | 19.0% | 375 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.2% | 261 |
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 | 90 | 23.3% |
| 60-90k | 334 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 560 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 562 | 29.0% |
| 150k+ | 414 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 579 | 26.4% |
| 2022 | 440 | 25.9% |
| 2023 | 374 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 325 | 28.9% |
| 2025 | 255 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2004 D22
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.7% 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.
- Suspension (12.6% 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
How many 2004 Nissan D22s pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 1,973 2004 Nissan D22 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Nissan D22?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by brakes (14.7%).
Does the 2004 D22 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.3% in the 30-60k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,973 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.