2008 Nissan Skyline — MOT failures & pass rate
605 MOT tests on the 2008 Nissan Skyline are in this dataset, and 85.8% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 26.2% of the time, so this is 11.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 9.8% of all tests — 3.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 32 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 17.6% versus 11.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 20.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 16.0% in 2021 to 10.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 9.8% | 59 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.3% | 38 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.8% | 29 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.5% | 21 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 17 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.5% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 25 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 25 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 24 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 20 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 17 |
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 | 20.2% | 122 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.9% | 102 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.7% | 101 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.1% | 73 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.6% | 64 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.6% | 52 |
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 | 69 | 11.6% |
| 60-90k | 191 | 15.2% |
| 90-120k | 164 | 13.4% |
| 120-150k | 102 | 17.6% |
| 150k+ | 51 | 17.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 144 | 16.0% |
| 2022 | 143 | 18.2% |
| 2023 | 130 | 14.6% |
| 2024 | 96 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 92 | 10.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Skyline
On a 2008 Skyline, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 9.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (9.8% 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.
- Brakes (4.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2008 Nissan Skylines pass their MOT?
85.8% of the 605 2008 Nissan Skyline MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Nissan Skyline?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 9.8% of tests, followed by suspension (6.3%).
Does the 2008 Skyline get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.6% in the 30-60k band to 17.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 605 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.