2014 Nissan Serena — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 655 MOT tests, the 2014 Nissan Serena recorded an 89.0% pass rate. That is 10.0 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 21.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, visibility and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 9.5% of all tests — 6.7 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and headlamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 42 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.0% in the 30-60k band and 12.5% in the 120-150k band, a 6.5-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 14.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 11.8% in 2021 to 9.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 62 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.8% | 18 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.1% | 14 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 14 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.0% | 13 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.8% | 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 | 42 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 15 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 11 |
| 5 | Wipers | 11 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 10 |
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 | 14.5% | 95 |
| 2 | Tyres | 13.7% | 90 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.5% | 82 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.3% | 41 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.0% | 33 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.3% | 28 |
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 | 166 | 6.0% |
| 60-90k | 304 | 11.5% |
| 90-120k | 113 | 16.8% |
| 120-150k | 40 | 12.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 403 | 8.4% |
| Petrol | 249 | 15.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 34 | 11.8% |
| 2022 | 63 | 14.3% |
| 2023 | 83 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 162 | 12.3% |
| 2025 | 313 | 9.9% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Serena
On a 2014 Serena, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (2.8% 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.
- Suspension (2.1% 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.
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 2014 Nissan Serenas pass their MOT?
89.0% of the 655 2014 Nissan Serena MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Nissan Serena?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.5% of tests, followed by visibility (2.8%).
Does the 2014 Serena get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.0% in the 30-60k band to 12.5% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 655 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.