Used car guide

2010 Nissan Cube: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Nissan Cubes, from 918 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

918MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
5,900typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Nissan Cubes than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Ball joint2.2× usual
    Nissan Cube
    14.1% All 2010 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 3.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.5× usual
    Nissan Cube
    5.3% All 2010 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.9% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 2.6% here, against 10.2% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Nissan Cube MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% 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
    35% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    32% 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
    30% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% 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
    8% 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?

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Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2010 Nissan Cubes registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score