2007 Nissan Serena — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2007 Nissan Serena passed 76.2% of its 588 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.4% of the time, so this is 5.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.8% of all tests — 8.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and pins and bushes — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 53 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 29.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 30.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 99 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.5% | 50 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.4% | 32 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.1% | 30 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 26 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.6% | 21 |
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 | 53 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 38 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 34 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 33 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 33 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 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 | 30.1% | 177 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.6% | 168 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.5% | 138 |
| 4 | Other defects | 16.2% | 95 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 82 |
| 6 | Steering | 13.6% | 80 |
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 | 64 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 172 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 178 | 24.7% |
| 120-150k | 95 | 27.4% |
| 150k+ | 74 | 29.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 93 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 117 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 102 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 144 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 132 | 23.5% |
What to check before buying a 2007 Serena
On a 2007 Serena, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.5% 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 (5.4% 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 2007 Nissan Serenas pass their MOT?
76.2% of the 588 2007 Nissan Serena MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Nissan Serena?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.8% of tests, followed by suspension (8.5%).
Does the 2007 Serena get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.2% in the 30-60k band to 29.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 588 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.