1996 Nissan Skyline — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 347 MOT tests analysed for the 1996 Nissan Skyline, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension. Its pass rate of 88.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (77.0%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 22.4% in the 120-150k group versus 10.0% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.8% | 27 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 21 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.2% | 11 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.9% | 10 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 10 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 7 |
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 | 24 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 12 |
| 4 | Emissions not tested | 8 |
| 5 | Washers | 8 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 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 | Suspension | 11.8% | 41 |
| 2 | Tyres | 9.8% | 34 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.8% | 34 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.2% | 32 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.5% | 19 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.0% | 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 | 50 | 10.0% |
| 60-90k | 129 | 12.4% |
| 90-120k | 80 | 3.8% |
| 120-150k | 49 | 22.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 44 | 9.1% |
| 2022 | 56 | 12.5% |
| 2023 | 52 | 11.5% |
| 2024 | 88 | 10.2% |
| 2025 | 107 | 12.2% |
What to check before buying a 1996 Skyline
Before buying a 1996 Nissan Skyline, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 7.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (7.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (6.0% 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 1996 Nissan Skylines pass their MOT?
88.8% of the 347 1996 Nissan Skyline MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 Nissan Skyline?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.8% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (6.0%).
Does the 1996 Skyline get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.0% in the 30-60k band to 22.4% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 347 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.