Nissan Leaf MOT Failure Rate

Q: What is the MOT failure rate for a Nissan Leaf?

The Nissan Leaf has an overall MOT failure rate of 17.2%, based on 159,094 MOT tests in the DVSA database. This is below the UK average of 28%.

Q: What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Leaf?

The most common MOT failure areas for the Nissan Leaf are: Tyres (3.3% risk), Suspension (2.7% risk), Visibility (2.1% risk). These are based on weighted component failure rates across all age and mileage bands.

Q: Is the Nissan Leaf reliable for MOT?

Yes, the Nissan Leaf is more reliable than average for MOT, with a failure rate of 17.2% compared to the UK average of 28%.

Q: How does the Nissan Leaf MOT failure rate change with age?

The Nissan Leaf MOT failure rate increases with vehicle age. Newer models typically have lower failure rates, while vehicles over 10 years old see significantly higher rates, often above 35%. Regular maintenance becomes more important as your vehicle ages.

Q: How can I reduce the risk of my Nissan Leaf failing its MOT?

Check all lights and bulbs, inspect tyre tread depth, test windscreen washers and wipers, listen for brake or suspension noises, and consider a pre-MOT check at a local garage. Use AutoSafe's free prediction tool for a personalised risk assessment.

17.2%

MOT failure rate from 159,094 tests

10.8pp below the UK average (28%)

Key Findings for the Nissan Leaf

Overall MOT failure rate: 17.2% — 10.8pp below the UK average (28%)
Highest-risk component: Tyres (3.3% failure risk)
Most reliable age group: 0-2 years (7.6% failure rate)
Highest-risk age group: 11-15 years (35.2% failure rate)
Based on 159,094 official DVSA MOT tests

Failure Rate by Vehicle Age

How the Nissan Leaf MOT failure rate changes with age:

Age	Failure Rate	Tests	Worst Area
0-2 years	7.6%	29,490	Tyres
3-5 years	12.4%	70,308	Tyres
6-10 years	27.3%	56,621	Suspension
11-15 years	35.2%	2,675	Suspension

Component Risk Breakdown

Which parts of the Nissan Leaf are most likely to cause an MOT failure:

Tyres 3.3%

Suspension 2.7%

Visibility 2.1%

Brakes 2.0%

Lamps & Electrics 1.6%

Steering 0.4%

Body & Chassis 0.2%

Nissan Leaf by Age Group

See detailed MOT failure data for each age group:

What Nissan Leaf Owners Should Watch For

Based on the MOT test data for the Nissan Leaf, here are the key areas to pay attention to before your MOT:

Tyres (3.3% failure risk) — Ensure all tyres have at least 1.6mm tread depth across the central three-quarters. Check for sidewall damage, bulges, and uneven wear.
Suspension (2.7% failure risk) — Look for leaking shock absorbers, worn bushes, and damaged springs. A bouncing or uneven ride often signals problems.
Visibility (2.1% failure risk) — Inspect windscreen for chips larger than 10mm in the driver’s line of vision and 40mm elsewhere in the swept area. Check all washers and wipers.

Many of these issues are inexpensive to fix when caught early. A pre-MOT inspection at a local garage typically costs £20–£40 and can save you the cost of a retest (£15–£30) plus the inconvenience of a failed MOT.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MOT failure rate for a Nissan Leaf?

The Nissan Leaf has an overall MOT failure rate of 17.2%, based on 159,094 MOT tests recorded in the DVSA database. This is below the UK national average of approximately 28%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Leaf?

The most common areas for MOT failure on a Nissan Leaf are:

Tyres — 3.3% failure risk
Suspension — 2.7% failure risk
Visibility — 2.1% failure risk

These component risks are weighted averages across all age and mileage bands in the dataset.

Is the Nissan Leaf reliable for MOT?

Yes, the Nissan Leaf performs better than average in MOT tests. Its 17.2% failure rate is well below the UK average of 28%, making it one of the more reliable options.

How does the Nissan Leaf MOT failure rate change with age?

The failure rate increases significantly with vehicle age. Newer Nissan Leaf models (0-2 years) have a relatively low 7.6% failure rate, while older examples (11-15 years) see failure rates rise to 35.2%. This pattern is common across most vehicle models and reflects increased wear on mechanical components over time.

How can I reduce the risk of my Nissan Leaf failing its MOT?

The most effective steps are: (1) Check all lights and bulbs before your test — lighting failures are the most common and cheapest to fix. (2) Inspect tyre tread depth and condition. (3) Test your windscreen washers and wipers. (4) Listen for unusual noises from brakes or suspension. (5) Consider a pre-MOT check at a local garage. You can also use our free prediction tool to get a personalised risk breakdown for your specific vehicle.

Where can I check the MOT history of a Nissan Leaf?

You can check any vehicle's full MOT history for free on the official DVSA service. This shows all previous test results, advisory items, and failure reasons. AutoSafe goes further by analysing this data with AI to predict your future MOT outcome.

Check Your Specific Nissan Leaf

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Other Nissan Models

Compare the Nissan Leaf MOT failure rate against other Nissan models:

Similar Failure Rate Models

These models from other manufacturers have a similar MOT failure rate to the Nissan Leaf:

Related Guides

Data methodology: Failure rates are weighted averages across all mileage bands, calculated from official DVSA MOT test records. Only age/mileage combinations with 100+ tests are included. Component risks represent the probability of failure in each specific area. Data covers 142 million MOT tests across the UK.

Trust signals: Risk model: CatBoost v55 • Data source: DVSA Open Data (OGL v3) • Last updated: 2026-03-08 • Limitation: population averages; individual vehicle condition, service history and mileage may vary.

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