2008 Nissan Pickup — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 283 MOT tests, the 2008 Nissan Pickup recorded a 73.9% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (26.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests against 11.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, position lamp and ball joint — service brake performance alone was recorded 26 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 24.4% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 28.6% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.7% | 50 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 33 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.3% | 32 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.3% | 29 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.1% | 20 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 17 |
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 | 26 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 24 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 22 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 22 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 13 |
| 6 | Washers | 12 |
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 | 37.8% | 107 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.0% | 85 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 27.2% | 77 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 48 |
| 5 | Tyres | 14.5% | 41 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.8% | 39 |
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 | 45 | 24.4% |
| 60-90k | 70 | 24.3% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 45 | 26.7% |
| 150k+ | 35 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 63 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 62 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 44 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 51 | 29.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Pickup
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (11.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (11.3% 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 2008 Nissan Pickups pass their MOT?
73.9% of the 283 2008 Nissan Pickup MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Nissan Pickup?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.7% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (11.7%).
Does the 2008 Pickup get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.4% in the 30-60k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 283 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.