2011 Nissan Leaf — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Nissan Leaf passed 76.2% of its 2,794 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (22.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, steering and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 13.2% of tests against 6.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, track rod end and linkage ball joints — ball joint alone was recorded 295 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.4% once past 90-120k — 2.6× the risk.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 27.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.2% | 370 |
| 2 | Steering | 6.0% | 167 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.7% | 158 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.2% | 145 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.7% | 132 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 132 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 295 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 190 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 99 |
| 4 | Wipers | 92 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 88 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 76 |
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 | 27.0% | 754 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.1% | 728 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.1% | 646 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.3% | 232 |
| 5 | Other defects | 7.8% | 218 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.1% | 199 |
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 | 296 | 12.5% |
| 30-60k | 1,118 | 22.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,024 | 26.3% |
| 90-120k | 324 | 32.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 573 | 22.9% |
| 2022 | 594 | 22.1% |
| 2023 | 573 | 23.7% |
| 2024 | 551 | 24.3% |
| 2025 | 503 | 26.2% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Leaf
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 13.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (13.2% 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.
- Steering (6.0% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
- Lighting & signalling (5.7% 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 2011 Nissan Leafs pass their MOT?
76.2% of the 2,794 2011 Nissan Leaf MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Nissan Leaf?
Suspension, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by steering (6.0%).
Does the 2011 Leaf get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.5% in the 0-30k band to 32.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,794 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.