2021 Nissan Leaf E + N-Connecta — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,723 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Nissan Leaf E + N-Connecta, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 92.1% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.7% | 129 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.9% | 78 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 40 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.4% | 39 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.9% | 24 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 80 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 40 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 4 | Washers | 17 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 16 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 14 |
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 | 17.9% | 487 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.7% | 263 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.4% | 120 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.5% | 95 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 89 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.0% | 28 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,426 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 974 | 9.2% |
| 60-90k | 241 | 11.6% |
| 90-120k | 53 | 7.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 122 | 1.6% |
| 2023 | 182 | 5.5% |
| 2024 | 1,215 | 8.5% |
| 2025 | 1,198 | 8.3% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Leaf E + N-Connecta
Before buying a 2021 Nissan Leaf E + N-Connecta, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.7% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Nissan Leaf E + N-Connectas pass their MOT?
92.1% of the 2,723 2021 Nissan Leaf E + N-Connecta MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Nissan Leaf E + N-Connecta?
Tyres, recorded in 4.7% of tests, followed by visibility (2.9%).
Does the 2021 Leaf E + N-Connecta get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 7.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,723 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.