2008 Nissan Note — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Nissan Note passed 73.9% of its 103,883 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as superminis of a similar age (27.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.9% of tests against 15.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 11,281 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.0% in the 0-30k band and 32.5% in the 150k+ band, a 18.4-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.0% fail against 29.8% for diesel, a 3.9-point gap across 103,883 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 33.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 24.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.9% | 22,718 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.7% | 16,347 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.6% | 5,850 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.4% | 5,608 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.9% | 5,112 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 3,264 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 11,281 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 8,461 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 7,716 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 6,607 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 6,353 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 5,800 |
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 | 33.0% | 34,281 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.9% | 27,961 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.8% | 20,609 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 19,192 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.8% | 10,192 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 8.5% | 8,863 |
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 | 1,242 | 14.0% |
| 30-60k | 14,489 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 34,216 | 24.6% |
| 90-120k | 33,128 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 15,243 | 30.5% |
| 150k+ | 5,534 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 100,217 | 26.0% |
| Diesel | 3,666 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22,670 | 24.9% |
| 2022 | 21,985 | 25.3% |
| 2023 | 21,133 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 19,893 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 18,202 | 27.5% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Note
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 21.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (21.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.7% 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.
- Visibility (5.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2008 Nissan Notes pass their MOT?
73.9% of the 103,883 2008 Nissan Note MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Nissan Note?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.9% of tests, followed by suspension (15.7%).
Does the 2008 Note get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.0% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 103,883 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.