2005 Nissan Kubistar — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,871 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Nissan Kubistar, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.4% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 34.5% in the 150k+ group versus 27.9% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 332 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.9% | 297 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.8% | 220 |
| 4 | Steering | 10.5% | 196 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 155 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.2% | 134 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 137 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 124 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 121 |
| 4 | Joints | 111 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 104 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 104 |
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 | 34.5% | 646 |
| 2 | Tyres | 32.0% | 599 |
| 3 | Suspension | 28.4% | 532 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.3% | 398 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.8% | 371 |
| 6 | Other defects | 18.3% | 343 |
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 | 86 | 27.9% |
| 60-90k | 325 | 29.5% |
| 90-120k | 504 | 31.9% |
| 120-150k | 527 | 31.1% |
| 150k+ | 403 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,841 | 31.7% |
| Petrol | 30 | 23.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 557 | 32.9% |
| 2022 | 460 | 32.4% |
| 2023 | 360 | 31.4% |
| 2024 | 278 | 31.3% |
| 2025 | 216 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Kubistar
Before buying a 2005 Nissan Kubistar, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.9% 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.
- Brakes (11.8% 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.
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 Kubistars pass their MOT?
68.4% of the 1,871 2005 Nissan Kubistar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Nissan Kubistar?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests, followed by suspension (15.9%).
Does the 2005 Kubistar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.9% in the 30-60k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,871 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.