Used car guide

2012 Nissan Leaf: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Nissan Leafs, from 439 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 439 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

439MOT tests in 2025
63%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
4,500typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Nissan Leafs than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Ball joint3.3× usual
    Nissan Leaf
    18.2% All 2012 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.5%, against 3% of all 2012 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.

  • Track rod ends3.1× usual
    Nissan Leaf
    15.3% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 2.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.5× usual
    Nissan Leaf
    8% All 2012 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.2% of all 2012 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.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    46% 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Brakes
    31% 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
    13% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    5% 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.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Looking at a Nissan Leaf?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023197Tyres 14%
20228,756Tyres 21%
20218,754Tyres 27%
20207,759Tyres 32%
20194,995Tyres 32%
20184,911Tyres 32%
20174,879Tyres 35%
20163,873Suspension 37%
20153,969Suspension 43%
20142,964Suspension 48%
20131,212Suspension 55%
2011397Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Nissan Leafs registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score