2006 Nissan Serena — MOT failures & pass rate
337 MOT tests on the 2006 Nissan Serena are in this dataset, and 78.3% of them passed. That is 8.2 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 29.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests against 8.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and headlamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 36 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 Serena fails 22.9% of the time in the 60-90k band and 19.4% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.5 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 30.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 59 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.0% | 27 |
| 3 | Visibility | 5.0% | 17 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.9% | 13 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.6% | 12 |
| 6 | Brakes | 3.6% | 12 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 36 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 17 |
| 4 | Wipers | 17 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 11 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 11 |
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 | 30.9% | 104 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.3% | 102 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.9% | 84 |
| 4 | Other defects | 22.3% | 75 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 50 |
| 6 | Steering | 10.7% | 36 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 70 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 139 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 63 | 22.2% |
| 150k+ | 31 | 19.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 53 | 17.0% |
| 2022 | 60 | 23.3% |
| 2023 | 60 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 88 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 76 | 19.7% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Serena
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 17.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (17.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.0% 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.
- Visibility (5.0% 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 2006 Nissan Serenas pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 337 2006 Nissan Serena MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Nissan Serena?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by suspension (8.0%).
Does the 2006 Serena get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 60-90k band to 19.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 337 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.