Nissan Vanette
From 742 MOT tests. Below 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, brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. 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 212 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 | 212 |
| brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. | 48 |
| vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced | 45 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 42 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 41 |
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 35 |
| brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded | 34 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 30 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 30 |
| exhaust system leaking or insecure | 27 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 52.2% of Vanette failures could actually strand you: fractured springs, engine faults, exhaust problems. Another 35.8% 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 £221.
Nissan Vanette on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 136 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 1 newly registered, a net loss of 135. At this rate, roughly 10.1 years until none remain. Now at 5.4% of its peak (25,524 in 2001 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 197 | 1,177 | +1 | -10 | -9 |
| 2025 Q2 | 209 | 1,174 | +0 | -14 | -14 |
| 2025 Q1 | 216 | 1,181 | +0 | -61 | -61 |
| 2024 Q4 | 223 | 1,235 | +0 | -51 | -51 |
| 2024 Q3 | 236 | 1,273 | +1 | -35 | -34 |
| 2024 Q2 | 254 | 1,289 | +0 | -29 | -29 |
| 2024 Q1 | 269 | 1,303 | +0 | -18 | -18 |
| 2023 Q4 | 284 | 1,306 | +0 | -26 | -26 |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 59.4% | 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 |
Typical mileage
Half of all Vanettes tested had between 74,127 and 119,265 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 96,144 median miles, the Vanette has 0.04 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 Vanette MOT pass rate?
The Nissan Vanette has a 61.6% MOT pass rate based on 742 real MOT tests. This is below the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Nissan Vanette?
The most common MOT failure on the Nissan Vanette 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 212 failures. Other common issues include brakes imbalance across an axle such that the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle..
How many Nissan Vanettes are on UK roads?
There are 197 Nissan Vanettes currently licensed on UK roads, with 1,177 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Nissan Vanette at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Nissan Vanette is 96,144 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 74,127 and 119,265 miles.
Buying a used Vanette?
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 61.6% pass rate and an average repair bill of £221 when things go wrong, budget accordingly. 52.2% 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.