2003 Nissan Skyline — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Nissan Skyline passed 84.5% of its 568 recorded MOT tests. That is 12.1 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 27.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests against 6.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and catalyst emissions — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 39 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 Skyline fails 14.3% of the time in the 30-60k band and 16.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.0 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 25.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 59 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.3% | 36 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 29 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.9% | 28 |
| 5 | Tyres | 2.8% | 16 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.5% | 14 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 39 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 39 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 37 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 21 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 19 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 15 |
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 | 25.2% | 143 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.9% | 113 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.0% | 85 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 58 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.8% | 50 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.9% | 39 |
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 | 84 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 175 | 14.3% |
| 90-120k | 159 | 20.8% |
| 120-150k | 92 | 9.8% |
| 150k+ | 49 | 16.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 119 | 16.8% |
| 2022 | 128 | 16.4% |
| 2023 | 110 | 11.8% |
| 2024 | 106 | 13.2% |
| 2025 | 105 | 19.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Skyline
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.3% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (5.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2003 Nissan Skylines pass their MOT?
84.5% of the 568 2003 Nissan Skyline MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan Skyline?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests, followed by suspension (6.3%).
Does the 2003 Skyline get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 30-60k band to 16.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 568 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.