Used car guide

2006 Nissan 350 Z: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Nissan 350 Zs, from 770 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

770MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
4,600typical miles a year
3.4×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Nissan 350 Zs than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.4× usual
    Nissan 350 Z
    7.8% All 2006 cars
    2.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 2.2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3.2% here, against 13.7% of all 2006 cars. Number plate lights: 4.2% here, against 8.6% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Nissan 350 Z MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    29% 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.

  • Tyres
    23% 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
    23% 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
    13% 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
    8% 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 Z?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2007579Brakes 30%
20051,125Brakes 32%
20041,034Suspension 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Nissan 350 Zs registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score