2003 Nissan Navara — MOT failures & pass rate
2,640 MOT tests on the 2003 Nissan Navara are in this dataset, and 70.2% of them passed. That is effectively the same as pick-up trucks of a similar age (29.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (16.6%) and lighting & signalling (15.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, component mounting prescribed areas and chassis condition — service brake performance alone was recorded 274 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.6% in the 30-60k band and 33.2% in the 150k+ band, a 10.6-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 16.6% | 437 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 413 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.4% | 381 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.7% | 335 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 197 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.3% | 87 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 274 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 224 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 220 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 203 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 195 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 169 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 43.3% | 1,144 |
| 2 | Brakes | 39.7% | 1,047 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 33.0% | 870 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 567 |
| 5 | Tyres | 19.3% | 510 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.0% | 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 | 115 | 22.6% |
| 60-90k | 386 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 687 | 28.0% |
| 120-150k | 768 | 31.6% |
| 150k+ | 647 | 33.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 778 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 661 | 31.0% |
| 2023 | 524 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 381 | 30.4% |
| 2025 | 296 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Navara
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 16.6% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (16.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.4% 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.
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 2003 Nissan Navaras pass their MOT?
70.2% of the 2,640 2003 Nissan Navara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan Navara?
Brakes, recorded in 16.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (15.6%).
Does the 2003 Navara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.6% in the 30-60k band to 33.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,640 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.