2004 Nissan Figaro — MOT failures & pass rate
1,282 MOT tests on the 2004 Nissan Figaro are in this dataset, and 70.1% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 2.2pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests against 10.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and rear fog lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 191 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.1% in the 30-60k band and 38.7% in the 150k+ band, a 22.6-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 26.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.4% in 2021 to 28.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 185 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.8% | 138 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.8% | 138 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 130 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.3% | 107 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 89 |
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 | 191 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 105 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 98 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 85 |
| 5 | Washers | 84 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 66 |
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 | 26.8% | 343 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.6% | 316 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.1% | 270 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.6% | 238 |
| 5 | Tyres | 18.2% | 233 |
| 6 | Steering | 13.7% | 176 |
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 | 81 | 16.1% |
| 60-90k | 314 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 378 | 31.5% |
| 120-150k | 318 | 32.1% |
| 150k+ | 181 | 38.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 326 | 30.4% |
| 2022 | 301 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 288 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 199 | 30.1% |
| 2025 | 168 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Figaro
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.8% 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 (10.8% 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 Figaros pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 1,282 2004 Nissan Figaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Nissan Figaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.4% of tests, followed by brakes (10.8%).
Does the 2004 Figaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.1% in the 30-60k band to 38.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,282 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.