2020 Nissan Nv250 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,307 MOT tests, the 2020 Nissan Nv250 recorded an 81.3% pass rate. That is 9.3 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 9.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.3% of all tests — 7.8 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are stop lamp, wipers and brake pads — stop lamp alone was recorded 209 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.1% in the 0-30k band and 20.6% in the 120-150k band, a 8.5-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 354 |
| 2 | Visibility | 7.5% | 174 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.2% | 143 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.6% | 130 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 61 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.0% | 24 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 209 |
| 2 | Wipers | 155 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 122 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 115 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 101 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 80 |
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 | 24.6% | 568 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.6% | 522 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.7% | 224 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.3% | 215 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.2% | 120 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.2% | 50 |
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 | 487 | 12.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,008 | 18.6% |
| 60-90k | 562 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 189 | 22.8% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 20.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 747 | 18.3% |
| 2024 | 768 | 18.4% |
| 2025 | 778 | 19.5% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Nv250
On a 2020 Nv250, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (7.5% 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.
- Tyres (6.2% 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.
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 2020 Nissan Nv250s pass their MOT?
81.3% of the 2,307 2020 Nissan Nv250 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Nissan Nv250?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by visibility (7.5%).
Does the 2020 Nv250 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.1% in the 0-30k band to 20.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,307 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.