Nissan Unclassified
From 4,590 MOT tests. Average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
Pass rate by fuel type
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc and a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc. The top issue, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, caused 231 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 231 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 117 |
| a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 110 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 104 |
| 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 | 103 |
| 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 | 98 |
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 93 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 86 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 85 |
| a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 77 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 19.5% of Unclassified failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 27.9% are safety issues where the car still drives but shouldn't, such as worn brakes, corroded brake pipes, and steering wear. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £113.
Fuel type matters
Petrol versions pass at 77.5% while Diesel versions pass at 70.2%, a 7 percentage point gap.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 78.6% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn |
| 2019 | 81.2% | parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2018 | 75.4% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements |
| 2017 | 66.5% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
14 earlier years
| 2016 | 78.2% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 2015 | 84.2% | a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated |
| 2014 | 73.4% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2013 | 69.5% | a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a tyre seriously damaged |
| 2012 | 76% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2011 | 75.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps |
| 2010 | 79.2% | 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 |
| 2009 | 75.5% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2008 | 81% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2007 | 75.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2006 | 79.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 2005 | 76% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded |
| 2004 | 76.8% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 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 |
| 2003 | 76.3% | a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 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 |
Typical mileage
Half of all Unclassifieds tested had between 66,088 and 152,403 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 92,290 median miles, the Unclassified has 0.026 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 Unclassified MOT pass rate?
The Nissan Unclassified has a 76.4% MOT pass rate based on 4,590 real MOT tests. This is around the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Nissan Unclassified?
The most common MOT failure on the Nissan Unclassified is a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, which caused 231 failures. Other common issues include a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
What is the typical mileage of a Nissan Unclassified at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Nissan Unclassified is 92,290 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 66,088 and 152,403 miles.
Buying a used Unclassified?
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 76.4% pass rate and an average repair bill of £113 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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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.