2011 Nissan Nv200 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Nissan Nv200 passed 71.4% of its 15,008 recorded MOT tests. That is 2.0 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 26.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (20.7%) and suspension (18.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, position lamp and linkage ball joints — ball joint alone was recorded 1,722 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.4% versus 9.1%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.7% | 3,113 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.1% | 2,709 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.1% | 1,066 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.0% | 1,046 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.9% | 888 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.6% | 546 |
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 | 1,722 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,713 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 1,044 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 964 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 902 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 892 |
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 | 35.8% | 5,371 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.8% | 3,877 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 23.7% | 3,555 |
| 4 | Brakes | 22.5% | 3,376 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.5% | 1,582 |
| 6 | Visibility | 10.4% | 1,555 |
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 | 99 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,110 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 2,939 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 4,120 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 3,344 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 3,387 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 14,913 | 28.7% |
| Petrol | 95 | 14.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,168 | 27.0% |
| 2022 | 3,103 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 3,028 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 2,923 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 2,786 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Nv200
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.1% 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 (7.1% 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 2011 Nissan Nv200s pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 15,008 2011 Nissan Nv200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Nissan Nv200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.7% of tests, followed by suspension (18.1%).
Does the 2011 Nv200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,008 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.