2004 Nissan Skyline — MOT failures & pass rate
591 MOT tests on the 2004 Nissan Skyline are in this dataset, and 88.2% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2004 Skyline comes out 15.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 9.1% of all tests — 4.6 points clear of emissions & environmental, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and rear fog lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 32 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.1% in the 0-30k band and 26.5% in the 150k+ band, a 15.4-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 20.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 9.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.1% | 54 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 27 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.7% | 22 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 17 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 14 |
| 6 | Brakes | 2.0% | 12 |
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 | 32 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 24 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 22 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 18 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 18 |
| 6 | Washers | 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 | 20.5% | 121 |
| 2 | Suspension | 19.6% | 116 |
| 3 | Tyres | 12.7% | 75 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.5% | 56 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.0% | 47 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 33 |
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 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 53 | 7.5% |
| 60-90k | 210 | 12.4% |
| 90-120k | 136 | 7.3% |
| 120-150k | 105 | 12.4% |
| 150k+ | 49 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 137 | 9.5% |
| 2022 | 139 | 12.2% |
| 2023 | 109 | 11.0% |
| 2024 | 108 | 13.0% |
| 2025 | 98 | 14.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Skyline
On a 2004 Skyline, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (4.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (3.7% 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 2004 Nissan Skylines pass their MOT?
88.2% of the 591 2004 Nissan Skyline MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Nissan Skyline?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.1% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (4.6%).
Does the 2004 Skyline get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 591 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.