Nissan D21
From 318 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced. The top issue, the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, caused 29 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 29 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 18 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 17 |
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 15 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 15 |
| a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources | 14 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 12 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 12 |
| a steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 12 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 11 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 37.4% of D21 failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 27.1% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. Breakdown cover may be worth considering for this model. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £162.
Typical mileage
Half of all D21s tested had between 55,188 and 123,969 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 87,992 median miles, the D21 has 0.03 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Nissan models
| Nissan Qashqai | 76.1% |
| Nissan Juke | 75.3% |
| Nissan Micra | 71.2% |
| Nissan Note | 70.9% |
| Nissan Navara | 77% |
Common questions
What is the Nissan D21 MOT pass rate?
The Nissan D21 has a 73.6% MOT pass rate based on 318 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Nissan D21?
The most common MOT failure on the Nissan D21 is the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which caused 29 failures. Other common issues include a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn.
What is the typical mileage of a Nissan D21 at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Nissan D21 is 87,992 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 55,188 and 123,969 miles.
Buying a used D21?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 73.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £162 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 37.4% of failures on this model could actually strand you, so breakdown cover may be worth considering.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.