2017 Nissan Nv300 — MOT failures & pass rate
3,125 MOT tests on the 2017 Nissan Nv300 are in this dataset, and 79.3% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (12.7% fail rate), the 2017 Nv300 comes out 8.0pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and steering.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (10.7%) and lighting & signalling (7.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, coil spring and malfunction indicator lamp — track rod end alone was recorded 221 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 23.5% versus 8.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.7% | 334 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 247 |
| 3 | Steering | 5.8% | 181 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 134 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.3% | 133 |
| 6 | Brakes | 3.9% | 123 |
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 | 221 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 136 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 120 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 119 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joints | 105 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 98 |
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 | 20.4% | 637 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.8% | 556 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.6% | 520 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 266 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 235 |
| 6 | Other defects | 6.3% | 197 |
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 | 290 | 8.6% |
| 30-60k | 922 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 937 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 536 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 254 | 23.2% |
| 150k+ | 179 | 23.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 613 | 15.3% |
| 2022 | 633 | 20.1% |
| 2023 | 618 | 19.9% |
| 2024 | 645 | 23.1% |
| 2025 | 616 | 25.2% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Nv300
On a 2017 Nv300, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.7% 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 (7.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Steering (5.8% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£500.
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 2017 Nissan Nv300s pass their MOT?
79.3% of the 3,125 2017 Nissan Nv300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Nissan Nv300?
Suspension, recorded in 10.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.9%).
Does the 2017 Nv300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 0-30k band to 23.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,125 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.