2015 Nissan Skyline — MOT failures & pass rate
742 MOT tests on the 2015 Nissan Skyline are in this dataset, and 90.7% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 16.1% of the time, so this is 6.8pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.4%) and emissions & environmental (4.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and rear fog lamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 41 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 6.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 19.7% once past 150k — 3.0× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 12.5% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.4% | 40 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 32 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.3% | 17 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.2% | 16 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.4% | 10 |
| 6 | Tyres | 1.1% | 8 |
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 | 41 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 15 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 10 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 8 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 7 |
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 | 12.5% | 93 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.8% | 80 |
| 3 | Tyres | 7.4% | 55 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.9% | 44 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 40 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 36 |
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 | 61 | 6.6% |
| 30-60k | 157 | 9.6% |
| 60-90k | 224 | 7.6% |
| 90-120k | 152 | 7.2% |
| 120-150k | 82 | 11.0% |
| 150k+ | 66 | 19.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 175 | 10.3% |
| 2022 | 165 | 9.1% |
| 2023 | 146 | 6.9% |
| 2024 | 132 | 11.4% |
| 2025 | 124 | 8.9% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Skyline
On a 2015 Skyline, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (4.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (2.3% 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.
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 2015 Nissan Skylines pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 742 2015 Nissan Skyline MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Nissan Skyline?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.4% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (4.3%).
Does the 2015 Skyline get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.6% in the 0-30k band to 19.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 742 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.