Used car guide

2004 Nissan Cube: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Nissan Cubes, from 114 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 114 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

114MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,400typical miles a year
38%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2004 Nissan Cube MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    38% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    34% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    32% 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
    28% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    17% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Looking at a Nissan Cube?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012131Brakes 17%
2011181Suspension 27%
2010918Suspension 42%
2009173Lights and electrics 25%
2008223Suspension 28%
2007198Suspension 29%
2006116Suspension 34%
2005102Suspension 25%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Nissan Cubes registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score