1995 Nissan Sunny — MOT failures & pass rate
433 MOT tests on the 1995 Nissan Sunny are in this dataset, and 69.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (24.4% fail rate), the 1995 Sunny comes out 5.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.5%) and body, structure & corrosion (13.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, joints and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 104 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.4% in the 30-60k band and 44.7% in the 120-150k band, a 21.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.7% in 2021 to 23.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.5% | 63 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.2% | 57 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 48 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.0% | 39 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.3% | 36 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.3% | 23 |
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 | 104 |
| 2 | Joints | 39 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 27 |
| 4 | Wipers | 23 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 22 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 19 |
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 | 31.9% | 138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.3% | 118 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.2% | 109 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.9% | 69 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.4% | 45 |
| 6 | Visibility | 8.3% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 107 | 23.4% |
| 60-90k | 178 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 97 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 38 | 44.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 130 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 104 | 32.7% |
| 2023 | 91 | 35.2% |
| 2024 | 61 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 47 | 23.4% |
What to check before buying a 1995 Sunny
On a 1995 Sunny, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 1995 Nissan Sunnys pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 433 1995 Nissan Sunny MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Nissan Sunny?
Suspension, recorded in 14.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (13.2%).
Does the 1995 Sunny get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.4% in the 30-60k band to 44.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 433 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.