2016 Nissan Nv300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 294 MOT tests, the 2016 Nissan Nv300 recorded a 79.6% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (14.6% fail rate), the 2016 Nv300 comes out 5.8pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 10.2% of tests against 6.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, shock absorbers and coil spring — track rod end alone was recorded 20 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 16.8% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 24.5% once past 90-120k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 21.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 19.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.2% | 30 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 19 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.4% | 16 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.1% | 15 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.1% | 15 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 20 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 19 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 17 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 12 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 11 |
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 | 21.4% | 63 |
| 2 | Tyres | 21.4% | 63 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.7% | 52 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.2% | 27 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.1% | 12 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.7% | 11 |
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 | 119 | 16.8% |
| 60-90k | 86 | 26.7% |
| 90-120k | 49 | 24.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 61 | 19.7% |
| 2022 | 54 | 9.3% |
| 2023 | 56 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 60 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 63 | 25.4% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Nv300
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 10.2% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (10.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.4% 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 2016 Nissan Nv300s pass their MOT?
79.6% of the 294 2016 Nissan Nv300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Nissan Nv300?
Suspension, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.5%).
Does the 2016 Nv300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.8% in the 30-60k band to 24.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 294 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.