Used car guide

2008 Nissan Cube: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Nissan Cubes, from 223 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 223 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

223MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
4,500typical miles a year
28%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

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

  • Suspension
    28% 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
    23% 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
    22% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    8% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% 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 Cube?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012131Brakes 17%
2011181Suspension 27%
2010918Suspension 42%
2009173Lights and electrics 25%
2007198Suspension 29%
2006116Suspension 34%
2005102Suspension 25%
2004114Suspension 38%

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