2010 Nissan Serena — MOT failures & pass rate
1,335 MOT tests on the 2010 Nissan Serena are in this dataset, and 83.4% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (26.5% fail rate), the 2010 Serena comes out 9.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.3% of all tests — 8.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and track rod end — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 94 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 25.0% once past 150k — 2.5× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 20.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 8.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 164 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.4% | 45 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.4% | 45 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.4% | 45 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 44 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.3% | 30 |
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 | 94 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 52 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 44 |
| 4 | Wipers | 34 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 31 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
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 | 20.5% | 274 |
| 2 | Tyres | 18.4% | 246 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.2% | 216 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 132 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.8% | 118 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.8% | 104 |
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 | 253 | 9.9% |
| 60-90k | 646 | 15.5% |
| 90-120k | 300 | 22.3% |
| 120-150k | 95 | 22.1% |
| 150k+ | 32 | 25.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 156 | 8.3% |
| 2022 | 224 | 13.0% |
| 2023 | 295 | 16.6% |
| 2024 | 321 | 18.7% |
| 2025 | 339 | 20.9% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Serena
On a 2010 Serena, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.4% 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 (3.4% 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 2010 Nissan Serenas pass their MOT?
83.4% of the 1,335 2010 Nissan Serena MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Nissan Serena?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by suspension (3.4%).
Does the 2010 Serena get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.9% in the 30-60k band to 25.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,335 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.