2012 Nissan Navara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 22,745 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Nissan Navara, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 72.4% was below the average for pick-up trucks of a similar age (75.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.8% in the 150k+ group versus 20.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 3,625 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.8% | 2,444 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 1,972 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.2% | 1,853 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.1% | 1,624 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.1% | 1,625 |
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 | 1,860 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 1,725 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,389 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,342 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,028 |
| 6 | Joints | 1,017 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 25.3% | 5,753 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.7% | 5,620 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.7% | 4,710 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.0% | 4,100 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 3,545 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.1% | 2,080 |
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 | 148 | 20.9% |
| 30-60k | 1,225 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 4,787 | 25.2% |
| 90-120k | 6,724 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 5,481 | 29.4% |
| 150k+ | 4,347 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 22,711 | 27.6% |
| Petrol | 34 | 26.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,862 | 25.7% |
| 2022 | 4,830 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 4,585 | 27.3% |
| 2024 | 4,413 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 4,055 | 29.0% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Navara
Before buying a 2012 Nissan Navara, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.8% 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 (8.7% 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 2012 Nissan Navaras pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 22,745 2012 Nissan Navara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Nissan Navara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (10.8%).
Does the 2012 Navara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 22,745 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.