2021 Nissan Nv200 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Nissan Nv200 passed 89.8% of its 756 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 12.7% of the time, so this is 2.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.9%) and lighting & signalling (4.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are wipers, tread depth and headlamp aim — wipers alone was recorded 27 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.2% in the 0-30k band and 12.3% in the 60-90k band, a 4.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.1% of tests failed in 2022 against 12.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.9% | 45 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 32 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.4% | 26 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.3% | 17 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 5 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 27 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 17 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 4 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 12 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 11 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 10 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 13.0% | 98 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.3% | 70 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.1% | 31 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.3% | 25 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 21 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.9% | 7 |
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 | 549 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 111 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 65 | 12.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | 560 | 10.5% |
| Petrol | 196 | 9.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 37 | 8.1% |
| 2023 | 105 | 6.7% |
| 2024 | 266 | 9.4% |
| 2025 | 321 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Nv200
On a 2021 Nv200, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (4.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (3.4% 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 2021 Nissan Nv200s pass their MOT?
89.8% of the 756 2021 Nissan Nv200 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Nissan Nv200?
Tyres, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.2%).
Does the 2021 Nv200 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 12.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 756 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.