Pass rate, every year
72.7% Below average
6,832 tests across 17 model years, 2001–2017.
−8.3 pts vs the national average
Nissan Figaro MOT Pass Rate & Official DVSA Failure Statistics
Best year to buy
2011 78.3%
The strongest of the 17 years on record. See the 2011 page →
Worst year to buy
2016 67.2%
11.1 points below the 2011 peak. See the 2016 page →
The Nissan Figaro MOT pass rate is 72.7%, −8.3 percentage points below the UK average. That is 6,832 DVSA MOT tests recorded between 2001 and 2017. This page lists the most common Nissan Figaro MOT failures by category, names the best and worst model years, and finishes with a pre-MOT checklist you can run at home.
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MOT pass rates are national — type your postcode to see how Nissan Figaro MOT pass rates does in your corner of the country.
Nissan Figaro MOT History and Failure Rates vs UK National Average
The Nissan Figaro passed on its first attempt in 66.3%, and its overall record sits −8.3 percentage points below the national average for all cars. These figures come from every recorded DVSA MOT test for the Nissan Figaro in the 2023–2025 data: 6,832 tests across 17 model years (2001–2017). A test still carries exactly one pass or fail verdict.
| Measure | This model |
|---|---|
| Tests analysed | 6,832 |
| Overall pass rate | 72.7% |
| Passed on first attempt | 66.3% |
| Average mileage at test | 94,248 mi |
| Model years covered | 2001–2017 (17 years) |
| Versus UK national average | −8.3 pts below |
Figures are computed from every recorded DVSA test for this model in the 2023–2025 data.
Most Common Nissan Figaro MOT Problems by Failure Category
Every MOT failure a tester records belongs to one inspection section of the DVSA manual. For the Nissan Figaro, the Suspension section leads the record — the breakdown below shows where the recorded failures cluster, then the exact strings behind the three biggest sections.
| Inspection section | Share of failures |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 27% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 16% |
| Steering | 15% |
| Brakes | 12% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11% |
| Visibility | 10% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1% |
Shares are over the Nissan Figaro's recorded defect strings, merged across its year pages.
Suspension
Around 27% of the recorded Nissan Figaro failures fall in the Suspension section of the MOT inspection manual. Testers recorded "Component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength" (5.1%), "Ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated" (4.1%), "Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt" (0.4%) among the Nissan Figaro's suspension faults.
Body, chassis, structure
Around 16% of the recorded Nissan Figaro failures fall in the Body, chassis, structure section of the MOT inspection manual. Testers recorded "Joints constant velocity boot severely deteriorated" (3.3%), "Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt" (1.7%), "Integral vehicle structure condition corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced" (0.4%) among the Nissan Figaro's body, chassis, structure faults.
Steering
Around 15% of the recorded Nissan Figaro failures fall in the Steering section of the MOT inspection manual. Testers recorded "Steering rack gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt" (2.3%), "Track rod end ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt" (1.9%), "Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt" (1.0%) among the Nissan Figaro's steering faults.
Top Recorded Nissan Figaro DVSA MOT Test Statistics & Defect Descriptions
The descriptions below are the exact DVSA failure strings testers recorded most often for the Nissan Figaro, each with how many of the model's 6,832 tests it was noted on.
- "Component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength" (Major) — noted on about 349 Nissan Figaro tests, 5.1% of the model's MOT record.
- "Ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated" (Minor) — noted on about 278 Nissan Figaro tests, 4.1% of the model's MOT record.
- "Joints constant velocity boot severely deteriorated" (Minor) — noted on about 223 Nissan Figaro tests, 3.3% of the model's MOT record.
- "Service brake imbalance across an axle" (Major) — noted on about 223 Nissan Figaro tests, 3.3% of the model's MOT record.
- "Rear fog lamp not working" (Major) — noted on about 191 Nissan Figaro tests, 2.8% of the model's MOT record.
- "Prescribed areas prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced" (Major) — noted on about 191 Nissan Figaro tests, 2.8% of the model's MOT record.
Best and Worst Nissan Figaro Model Years by Pass Rate
The strongest Nissan Figaro model year on record is 2011 (78.3% across 217 tests), and the weakest is 2016 (67.2%). The gap between them is 11.1 points. Years with fewer than 50 recorded tests are excluded, so these are the years with enough MOT history to mean something.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Figaro | 91 | 78.0% |
| 2016 Figaro | 64 | 67.2% |
| 2015 Figaro | 112 | 77.7% |
| 2014 Figaro | 177 | 73.4% |
| 2013 Figaro | 156 | 69.2% |
| 2012 Figaro | 99 | 77.8% |
| 2011 Figaro | 217 | 78.3% |
| 2010 Figaro | 379 | 73.4% |
| 2009 Figaro | 488 | 71.5% |
| 2008 Figaro | 732 | 73.9% |
| 2007 Figaro | 1,001 | 75.3% |
| 2006 Figaro | 963 | 70.4% |
| 2005 Figaro | 975 | 72.5% |
| 2004 Figaro | 706 | 70.5% |
| 2003 Figaro | 396 | 70.5% |
| 2002 Figaro | 179 | 72.1% |
| 2001 Figaro | 97 | 69.1% |
Newest model year first. Only years with at least 50 recorded tests are listed.
Pre-MOT Inspection Checklist for Nissan Figaro Owners
These checks follow this Nissan Figaro's own most-recorded failure strings, starting with what a tester is most likely to flag on a Nissan Figaro.
-
corrosion — “component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength”
Look under the sills, around the jacking points and where the suspension mounts meet the body. Flaking, holed or crumbly metal fails; a brown stain on sound metal does not.
-
the suspension joints — “ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated”
With the car parked on level ground, rock the top of each front wheel in and out while someone watches the suspension arm. Clunks, or rubber boots split and greasy, are what testers record here.
-
the lights — “rear fog lamp not working”
Switch everything on and walk round the car: both headlamps on dip and main, every indicator, both brake lights, reverse, fog and the two number-plate lamps. A bulb is a few pounds and a five-minute job.
Derived from the DVSA failure strings testers recorded for the Nissan Figaro. A check that finds nothing means the item is likely fine, not that the test is guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nissan Figaro MOT & Reliability
What is the Nissan Figaro MOT pass rate?
72.7% of the 6,832 recorded Nissan Figaro MOT tests ended in a pass, −8.3 percentage points below the national average. 66.3% of those passed on the first attempt.
Which Nissan Figaro model years pass the MOT most often?
2011 is the strongest Nissan Figaro year on record at 78.3%, while 2016 is the weakest at 67.2%. The year-by-year table below lists every model year with at least 50 recorded tests.
What are the most common Nissan Figaro MOT failures?
The most recorded Nissan Figaro failures are "Component mounting prescribed areas prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength" and "Ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated" — together around 9% of tests, mostly in the Suspension section.