2020 Nissan Serena — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2020 Nissan Serena passed 81.6% of its 494 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (11.3% fail rate), the 2020 Serena comes out 7.1pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.0% of tests against 5.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, headlamp aim and headlamp — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 28 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.7% in the 30-60k band and 28.8% in the 120-150k band, a 21.1-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 24.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 17.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.0% | 69 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.3% | 26 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.9% | 24 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.0% | 20 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.4% | 17 |
| 6 | Brakes | 2.8% | 14 |
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 | 28 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 28 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 25 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 24 |
| 5 | Wipers | 19 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 16 |
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 | 24.9% | 123 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.5% | 116 |
| 3 | Suspension | 20.0% | 99 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.6% | 72 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 66 |
| 6 | Steering | 10.7% | 53 |
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 | 65 | 7.7% |
| 60-90k | 205 | 17.1% |
| 90-120k | 120 | 20.8% |
| 120-150k | 73 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 440 | 20.0% |
| Hybrid | 54 | 5.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 101 | 17.8% |
| 2022 | 102 | 19.6% |
| 2023 | 107 | 20.6% |
| 2024 | 78 | 12.8% |
| 2025 | 106 | 19.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Serena
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.3% 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 (4.9% 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 2020 Nissan Serenas pass their MOT?
81.6% of the 494 2020 Nissan Serena MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Nissan Serena?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by suspension (5.3%).
Does the 2020 Serena get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 30-60k band to 28.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 494 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.