2005 Nissan Figaro — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,771 MOT tests, the 2005 Nissan Figaro recorded a 72.3% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.6%, so the 2005 Figaro sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 13.1% of all tests — 3.0 points clear of body, structure & corrosion, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, catalyst emissions and rear fog lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 187 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.5% in the 30-60k band and 31.6% in the 150k+ band, a 12.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 25.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 232 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 178 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 160 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.0% | 141 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.6% | 135 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.3% | 111 |
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 | 187 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 131 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 112 |
| 4 | Washers | 97 |
| 5 | Prescribed areas | 94 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 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 | 25.2% | 446 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.9% | 424 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 20.8% | 369 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.0% | 318 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.1% | 303 |
| 6 | Steering | 15.2% | 269 |
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 | 118 | 19.5% |
| 60-90k | 599 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 504 | 27.6% |
| 120-150k | 309 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 234 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 450 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 406 | 25.6% |
| 2023 | 374 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 274 | 25.6% |
| 2025 | 267 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Figaro
On a 2005 Figaro, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.1% 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+.
- Brakes (9.0% 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.
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 2005 Nissan Figaros pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 1,771 2005 Nissan Figaro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Nissan Figaro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.1% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (10.1%).
Does the 2005 Figaro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.5% in the 30-60k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,771 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.