Used car guide

2012 Nissan Cube: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Nissan Cubes, from 131 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 131 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

131MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
4,400typical miles a year
17%had brakes flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2012 Nissan Cube MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    14% 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
    14% 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
    11% 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.

  • 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    2% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Nissan Cube?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011181Suspension 27%
2010918Suspension 42%
2009173Lights and electrics 25%
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 2012 Nissan Cubes registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score