1991 Nissan Figaro — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1991 Nissan Figaro passed 73.7% of its 3,341 recorded MOT tests. That is 4.3 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 22.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests against 9.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rear fog lamp and washers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 367 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.0% in the 0-30k band and 35.9% in the 150k+ band, a 15.9-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 20.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 452 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.0% | 300 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 288 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.4% | 282 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.4% | 249 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.0% | 168 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 367 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 195 |
| 3 | Washers | 193 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 184 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 162 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 140 |
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 | 20.8% | 696 |
| 2 | Brakes | 20.8% | 696 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 19.7% | 657 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.9% | 630 |
| 5 | Steering | 14.1% | 470 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.8% | 427 |
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 | 50 | 20.0% |
| 30-60k | 459 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,093 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 937 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 495 | 30.7% |
| 150k+ | 306 | 35.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 510 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 485 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 486 | 26.1% |
| 2024 | 932 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 928 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 1991 Figaro
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.5% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (9.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.6% 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 1991 Nissan Figaros pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 3,341 1991 Nissan Figaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Nissan Figaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by suspension (9.0%).
Does the 1991 Figaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 0-30k band to 35.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,341 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.