2008 Nissan Serena — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Nissan Serena passed 79.2% of its 832 recorded MOT tests. MPVs of a similar age fail 28.7% of the time, so this is 7.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.4% of tests against 7.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, rear fog lamp and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 40 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.9% in the 30-60k band and 32.6% in the 150k+ band, a 17.6-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 25.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 15.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.4% | 103 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.4% | 62 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.7% | 47 |
| 4 | Brakes | 5.3% | 44 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.2% | 43 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.6% | 22 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 40 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 39 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 31 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 26 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 26 |
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 | 25.0% | 208 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.0% | 208 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.2% | 185 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.7% | 97 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.1% | 84 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 77 |
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 | 134 | 14.9% |
| 60-90k | 303 | 20.1% |
| 90-120k | 246 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 86 | 24.4% |
| 150k+ | 43 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 117 | 15.4% |
| 2022 | 171 | 26.3% |
| 2023 | 166 | 19.9% |
| 2024 | 179 | 16.8% |
| 2025 | 199 | 23.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Serena
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.4% 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.
- Tyres (5.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 Serenas pass their MOT?
79.2% of the 832 2008 Nissan Serena MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Nissan Serena?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.4% of tests, followed by suspension (7.4%).
Does the 2008 Serena get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 30-60k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 832 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.