2012 Nissan Nv200 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Nissan Nv200 passed 71.0% of its 20,154 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 25.6% of the time, so this is 3.4pp worse 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 21.5% of all tests — 3.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, position lamp and linkage ball joints — ball joint alone was recorded 2,356 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 13.8% in the 0-30k band and 30.3% in the 150k+ band, a 16.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.5% | 4,341 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.3% | 3,693 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.9% | 1,399 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.6% | 1,334 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.8% | 1,173 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 1,003 |
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 | 2,356 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,231 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joints | 1,343 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 1,108 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,059 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 985 |
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 | 33.9% | 6,841 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.2% | 5,072 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 22.1% | 4,443 |
| 4 | Brakes | 19.5% | 3,936 |
| 5 | Visibility | 10.0% | 2,010 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.4% | 1,905 |
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 | 167 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 1,523 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 4,601 | 27.7% |
| 90-120k | 5,724 | 30.4% |
| 120-150k | 4,559 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 3,575 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 20,043 | 29.1% |
| Petrol | 110 | 14.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,283 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 4,203 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 4,083 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 3,943 | 30.0% |
| 2025 | 3,642 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Nv200
On a 2012 Nv200, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (18.3% 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 (6.9% 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 2012 Nissan Nv200s pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 20,154 2012 Nissan Nv200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Nissan Nv200?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.5% of tests, followed by suspension (18.3%).
Does the 2012 Nv200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 20,154 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.