2017 Nissan Unclassified — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 479 MOT tests analysed for the 2017 Nissan Unclassified, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 78.3% was below the average for cars of a similar age (88.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.9% in the 150k+ group versus 19.6% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.5% | 60 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.0% | 43 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.5% | 36 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.1% | 34 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 21 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 28 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 21 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 19 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 16 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 16 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 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 | Tyres | 25.7% | 123 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.2% | 111 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.8% | 109 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 59 |
| 5 | Other defects | 8.1% | 39 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.4% | 21 |
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 | 56 | 19.6% |
| 60-90k | 129 | 17.8% |
| 90-120k | 130 | 27.7% |
| 120-150k | 84 | 22.6% |
| 150k+ | 54 | 25.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 412 | 22.3% |
| Diesel | 51 | 15.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 141 | 22.0% |
| 2022 | 114 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 97 | 19.6% |
| 2024 | 64 | 18.8% |
| 2025 | 63 | 20.6% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Unclassified
Before buying a 2017 Nissan Unclassified, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 12.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (12.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.0% 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 (7.5% 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 2017 Nissan Unclassifieds pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 479 2017 Nissan Unclassified MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Nissan Unclassified?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.5% of tests, followed by suspension (9.0%).
Does the 2017 Unclassified get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.6% in the 30-60k band to 25.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 479 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.