2011 Nissan Serena — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 769 MOT tests, the 2011 Nissan Serena recorded an 85.3% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 25.3% of the time, so this is 10.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.0% of tests against 3.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, position lamp and track rod end — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 43 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.2% in the 30-60k band and 27.0% in the 150k+ band, a 18.9-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 17.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 100 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.6% | 28 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.5% | 27 |
| 4 | Tyres | 3.5% | 27 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.4% | 26 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.9% | 22 |
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 | 43 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 29 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 23 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 22 |
| 6 | Wipers | 19 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 17.2% | 132 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.8% | 129 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.0% | 123 |
| 4 | Steering | 7.5% | 58 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 48 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.4% | 34 |
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 | 159 | 8.2% |
| 60-90k | 352 | 15.3% |
| 90-120k | 164 | 17.1% |
| 120-150k | 48 | 16.7% |
| 150k+ | 37 | 27.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52 | 15.4% |
| 2022 | 142 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 160 | 15.6% |
| 2024 | 199 | 15.6% |
| 2025 | 216 | 14.3% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Serena
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.6% 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 (3.5% 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 2011 Nissan Serenas pass their MOT?
85.3% of the 769 2011 Nissan Serena MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Nissan Serena?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.0% of tests, followed by suspension (3.6%).
Does the 2011 Serena get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 30-60k band to 27.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 769 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.