2009 Nissan Nv200 — MOT failures & pass rate
928 MOT tests on the 2009 Nissan Nv200 are in this dataset, and 74.0% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 28.3% of the time, so this is 2.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.9% of all tests — 6.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, ball joint and headlamp — position lamp alone was recorded 105 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.4% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 25.5% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 29.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 21.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 194 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.7% | 136 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 79 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.8% | 63 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 55 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.0% | 28 |
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 | 105 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 88 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 64 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 48 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 47 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 46 |
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 | 29.8% | 277 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.9% | 231 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.9% | 222 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.1% | 205 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.1% | 94 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.9% | 73 |
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 | 69 | 17.4% |
| 60-90k | 197 | 20.3% |
| 90-120k | 247 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 205 | 35.1% |
| 150k+ | 208 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 819 | 27.5% |
| Petrol | 109 | 14.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 181 | 21.6% |
| 2022 | 187 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 182 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 194 | 27.8% |
| 2025 | 184 | 26.6% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Nv200
On a 2009 Nv200, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.7% 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.
- Brakes (8.5% 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.
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 2009 Nissan Nv200s pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 928 2009 Nissan Nv200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Nissan Nv200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.7%).
Does the 2009 Nv200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 30-60k band to 25.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 928 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.