Used car guide

2013 Nissan Leaf: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Nissan Leafs, from 1,212 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,212MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
6,000typical miles a year
4.3×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Nissan Leafs than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Track rod ends4.3× usual
    Nissan Leaf
    20.7% All 2013 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.2%, against 2.4% of all 2013 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.

  • Ball joint3.8× usual
    Nissan Leaf
    19.1% All 2013 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.8%, against 2.7% of all 2013 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints5.1× usual
    Nissan Leaf
    11.3% All 2013 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 0.8% of all 2013 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 mountings4.5× usual
    Nissan Leaf
    2.7% All 2013 cars
    0.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.2% of all 2013 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.

By area

The share of 2013 Nissan Leaf MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    55% 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
    37% 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
    34% 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
    16% 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
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Steering
    4% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Looking at a Nissan Leaf?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
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%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Nissan Leafs registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score