2001 Nissan Pickup — MOT failures & pass rate
535 MOT tests on the 2001 Nissan Pickup are in this dataset, and 71.6% of them passed. That is 1.3 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.1%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (15.1%) and lighting & signalling (13.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, chassis condition and rigid brake pipes — service brake performance alone was recorded 62 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 36.8% in the 30-60k band and 27.5% in the 150k+ band, a 9.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 46.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 15.1% | 81 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 74 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.3% | 71 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.3% | 66 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.5% | 40 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.3% | 23 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 62 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 48 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 40 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 40 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 29 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 29 |
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 | 46.9% | 251 |
| 2 | Suspension | 40.9% | 219 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 32.7% | 175 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.2% | 119 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.0% | 59 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 57 | 36.8% |
| 60-90k | 117 | 29.9% |
| 90-120k | 128 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 71 | 18.3% |
| 150k+ | 131 | 27.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 143 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 115 | 27.0% |
| 2023 | 107 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 95 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 75 | 30.7% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Pickup
On a 2001 Pickup, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (15.1% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.3% 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.
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 2001 Nissan Pickups pass their MOT?
71.6% of the 535 2001 Nissan Pickup MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Nissan Pickup?
Brakes, recorded in 15.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.8%).
Does the 2001 Pickup get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 36.8% in the 30-60k band to 27.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 535 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.