2004 Nissan Unclassified — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 697 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Nissan Unclassified, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 77.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.2% in the 150k+ group versus 18.8% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.9% | 90 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.9% | 69 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.8% | 61 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 50 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 30 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.7% | 19 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 49 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 41 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 37 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 35 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 6 | Washers | 23 |
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 | 27.7% | 193 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.4% | 177 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.1% | 133 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.9% | 111 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 79 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 75 |
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 | 18.8% |
| 60-90k | 205 | 16.1% |
| 90-120k | 210 | 26.2% |
| 120-150k | 118 | 25.4% |
| 150k+ | 84 | 26.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 483 | 20.3% |
| Diesel | 202 | 27.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 133 | 21.1% |
| 2022 | 145 | 22.8% |
| 2023 | 144 | 23.6% |
| 2024 | 141 | 22.7% |
| 2025 | 134 | 20.2% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Unclassified
Before buying a 2004 Nissan Unclassified, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.9% 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.
- Suspension (8.8% 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 Unclassifieds pass their MOT?
77.9% of the 697 2004 Nissan Unclassified MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Nissan Unclassified?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.9% of tests, followed by brakes (9.9%).
Does the 2004 Unclassified get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.8% in the 30-60k band to 26.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 697 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.