2019 Nissan Serena — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2019 Nissan Serena passed 85.7% of its 739 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (11.3% fail rate), the 2019 Serena comes out 3.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.9% of tests against 5.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and brake pads — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2019 Serena fails 13.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 14.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.0 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 19.4% 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 | 9.9% | 73 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.1% | 38 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.5% | 26 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.4% | 25 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 19 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.0% | 15 |
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 | 25 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 25 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 22 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 21 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 20 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 20 |
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 | 19.4% | 143 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.6% | 130 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.8% | 124 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 11.9% | 88 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.0% | 59 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.8% | 58 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 36 | 13.9% |
| 30-60k | 97 | 12.4% |
| 60-90k | 182 | 12.1% |
| 90-120k | 188 | 14.4% |
| 120-150k | 114 | 18.4% |
| 150k+ | 121 | 14.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 422 | 17.5% |
| Hybrid | 317 | 10.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 157 | 14.6% |
| 2022 | 151 | 13.9% |
| 2023 | 155 | 14.8% |
| 2024 | 108 | 13.0% |
| 2025 | 168 | 14.9% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Serena
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 9.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (9.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.1% 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.
- Tyres (3.5% 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 2019 Nissan Serenas pass their MOT?
85.7% of the 739 2019 Nissan Serena MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Nissan Serena?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.9% of tests, followed by suspension (5.1%).
Does the 2019 Serena get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 0-30k band to 14.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 739 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.