2016 Nissan Nv400 — MOT failures & pass rate
962 MOT tests on the 2016 Nissan Nv400 are in this dataset, and 79.5% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail at 19.6%, so the 2016 Nv400 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.6% of all tests — 5.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 59 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.4% in the 0-30k band and 24.7% in the 150k+ band, a 19.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 15.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 150 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 99 |
| 3 | Visibility | 6.9% | 66 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.8% | 46 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.8% | 27 |
| 6 | Suspension | 2.2% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 54 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 48 |
| 4 | Washers | 37 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 35 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 33 |
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 | 21.6% | 208 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.0% | 192 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 147 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.2% | 79 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 72 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.1% | 49 |
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 | 56 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 228 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 284 | 19.0% |
| 90-120k | 216 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 97 | 26.8% |
| 150k+ | 81 | 24.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 187 | 15.5% |
| 2022 | 196 | 19.4% |
| 2023 | 186 | 19.9% |
| 2024 | 204 | 24.0% |
| 2025 | 189 | 23.3% |
What to check before buying a 2016 Nv400
On a 2016 Nv400, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.3% 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.
- Visibility (6.9% 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 2016 Nissan Nv400s pass their MOT?
79.5% of the 962 2016 Nissan Nv400 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Nissan Nv400?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by brakes (10.3%).
Does the 2016 Nv400 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 24.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 962 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.