2006 Nissan Kubistar — MOT failures & pass rate
1,175 MOT tests on the 2006 Nissan Kubistar are in this dataset, and 68.4% of them passed. That is 4.3 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.4%) and suspension (16.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and steering rack — track rod end alone was recorded 77 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 31.1% versus 22.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 33.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 31.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 33.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.4% | 205 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.3% | 191 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.3% | 156 |
| 4 | Steering | 11.4% | 134 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.2% | 96 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.3% | 74 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 77 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 77 |
| 3 | Steering rack | 73 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 63 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 62 |
| 6 | Wipers | 62 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 33.7% | 396 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.1% | 389 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.2% | 320 |
| 4 | Other defects | 19.1% | 225 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 183 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 164 |
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 | 49 | 22.4% |
| 60-90k | 199 | 29.1% |
| 90-120k | 367 | 33.5% |
| 120-150k | 286 | 33.2% |
| 150k+ | 248 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 310 | 31.3% |
| 2022 | 287 | 30.7% |
| 2023 | 231 | 31.6% |
| 2024 | 182 | 31.9% |
| 2025 | 165 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Kubistar
On a 2006 Kubistar, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.3% 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 (13.3% 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 2006 Nissan Kubistars pass their MOT?
68.4% of the 1,175 2006 Nissan Kubistar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Nissan Kubistar?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.4% of tests, followed by suspension (16.3%).
Does the 2006 Kubistar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.4% in the 30-60k band to 31.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,175 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.