2008 Nissan Navara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,565 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Nissan Navara, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 70.8% was in line with the average for pick-up trucks of a similar age (71.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.1% in the 150k+ group versus 14.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 2,439 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.6% | 1,839 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.5% | 1,825 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.3% | 1,266 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.3% | 994 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.8% | 928 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 1,117 |
| 2 | Joints | 1,003 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 976 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 895 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 731 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 725 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.0% | 3,938 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.7% | 3,897 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.2% | 3,686 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.2% | 2,472 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.8% | 2,409 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 16.3% | 2,215 |
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 | 165 | 14.5% |
| 30-60k | 427 | 18.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,634 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,898 | 29.9% |
| 120-150k | 4,270 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 3,148 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,517 | 28.9% |
| 2022 | 3,223 | 29.3% |
| 2023 | 2,753 | 29.3% |
| 2024 | 2,238 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 1,834 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Navara
Before buying a 2008 Nissan Navara, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.0% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.6% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2008 Nissan Navaras pass their MOT?
70.8% of the 13,565 2008 Nissan Navara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Nissan Navara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by suspension (13.6%).
Does the 2008 Navara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.5% in the 0-30k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,565 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.