Used car guide

2009 Nissan Cube: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Nissan Cubes, from 173 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 173 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

173MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
4,800typical miles a year
25%had lights and electrics flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2009 Nissan Cube MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    21% 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
    17% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    6% 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.

Looking at a Nissan Cube?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2012131Brakes 17%
2011181Suspension 27%
2010918Suspension 42%
2008223Suspension 28%
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 2009 Nissan Cubes registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score