1995 Nissan Skyline — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 344 MOT tests, the 1995 Nissan Skyline recorded a 91.9% pass rate. Against all cars of a similar age (24.0% fail rate), the 1995 Skyline comes out 15.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (7.6%) and emissions & environmental (5.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 28 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 1.7% in the 30-60k band and 8.8% in the 120-150k band, a 7.1-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 10.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 8.7% in 2021 to 6.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 26 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 20 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.2% | 11 |
| 4 | Steering | 2.6% | 9 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.3% | 8 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.7% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 28 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 14 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 12 |
| 4 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 12 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 9 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 8 |
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 | 10.5% | 36 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.2% | 35 |
| 3 | Tyres | 9.9% | 34 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 29 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.7% | 16 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.1% | 14 |
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 | 58 | 1.7% |
| 60-90k | 112 | 10.7% |
| 90-120k | 85 | 7.1% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 8.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 46 | 8.7% |
| 2022 | 47 | 6.4% |
| 2023 | 48 | 8.3% |
| 2024 | 103 | 10.7% |
| 2025 | 100 | 6.0% |
What to check before buying a 1995 Skyline
On a 1995 Skyline, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (7.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (5.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (3.2% 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 1995 Nissan Skylines pass their MOT?
91.9% of the 344 1995 Nissan Skyline MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Nissan Skyline?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (5.8%).
Does the 1995 Skyline get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 1.7% in the 30-60k band to 8.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 344 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.