2004 Nissan Navara — MOT failures & pass rate
6,649 MOT tests on the 2004 Nissan Navara are in this dataset, and 70.9% of them passed. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail at 29.1%, so the 2004 Navara sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.2%) and brakes (15.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, rigid brake pipes and chassis condition — service brake performance alone was recorded 755 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 33.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 44.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.8% in 2021 to 27.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.2% | 1,078 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.8% | 1,048 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.4% | 890 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 875 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.8% | 521 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.1% | 271 |
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 | 755 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 518 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 505 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 461 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 449 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 446 |
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 | 44.1% | 2,934 |
| 2 | Brakes | 41.7% | 2,774 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 32.3% | 2,150 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.4% | 1,357 |
| 5 | Tyres | 18.6% | 1,237 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.9% | 993 |
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 | 72 | 22.2% |
| 30-60k | 295 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,004 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,916 | 27.6% |
| 120-150k | 1,865 | 30.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,485 | 33.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,054 | 29.8% |
| 2022 | 1,654 | 29.1% |
| 2023 | 1,231 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 944 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 766 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Navara
On a 2004 Navara, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (15.8% 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.
- Suspension (13.4% 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 2004 Nissan Navaras pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 6,649 2004 Nissan Navara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Nissan Navara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.2% of tests, followed by brakes (15.8%).
Does the 2004 Navara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.2% in the 0-30k band to 33.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,649 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.