Used car guide

2008 Nissan 350: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Nissan 350s, from 371 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 371 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

371MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,800typical miles a year
33%had brakes flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2008 Nissan 350 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    33% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    26% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    22% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    18% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    10% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Nissan 350?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009154Tyres 23%
2007579Brakes 30%
2006770Suspension 33%
20051,126Suspension 32%
20041,034Suspension 37%
2003317Suspension 39%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Nissan 350s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score