2003 Nissan Figaro — MOT failures & pass rate
697 MOT tests on the 2003 Nissan Figaro are in this dataset, and 71.5% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.7%, so the 2003 Figaro sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.2%) and suspension (11.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and rear fog lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 105 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 32.2% versus 22.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 26.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.7% in 2021 to 27.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 92 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.2% | 78 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.3% | 72 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.0% | 70 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.2% | 57 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 44 |
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 | 105 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 51 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 49 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 48 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 42 |
| 6 | Washers | 41 |
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 | 26.4% | 184 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.0% | 181 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 23.7% | 165 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.4% | 156 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.9% | 125 |
| 6 | Steering | 16.5% | 115 |
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 | 40 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 202 | 28.7% |
| 90-120k | 229 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 136 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 87 | 32.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 176 | 30.7% |
| 2022 | 156 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 159 | 30.8% |
| 2024 | 98 | 24.5% |
| 2025 | 108 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Figaro
On a 2003 Figaro, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.2% 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 (10.3% 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 Figaros pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 697 2003 Nissan Figaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan Figaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (11.2%).
Does the 2003 Figaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.5% in the 30-60k band to 32.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 697 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.