2020 Nissan Nv300 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,311 MOT tests, the 2020 Nissan Nv300 recorded an 82.9% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (9.4% fail rate), the 2020 Nv300 comes out 7.7pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.9%) and suspension (6.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, shock absorbers and daytime running lamps — brake pads alone was recorded 48 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 15.6% once past 120-150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 20.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.0% of tests failed in 2023 against 18.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.9% | 103 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.7% | 88 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.1% | 67 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.4% | 45 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.4% | 44 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 33 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 48 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 37 |
| 3 | Daytime running lamps | 33 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 30 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 27 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 20.8% | 273 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.2% | 265 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.2% | 120 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.7% | 88 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.3% | 69 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 64 |
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 | 202 | 7.9% |
| 30-60k | 538 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 359 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 166 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 32 | 15.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 426 | 15.0% |
| 2024 | 441 | 18.1% |
| 2025 | 434 | 18.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Nv300
On a 2020 Nv300, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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.
- Suspension (6.7% 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.
- Brakes (5.1% 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 2020 Nissan Nv300s pass their MOT?
82.9% of the 1,311 2020 Nissan Nv300 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Nissan Nv300?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by suspension (6.7%).
Does the 2020 Nv300 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.9% in the 0-30k band to 15.6% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,311 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.