Used car guide

2017 Nissan Leaf: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Nissan Leafs, from 4,879 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,879MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
6,400typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Nissan Leafs than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Brake discs1.8× usual
    Nissan Leaf
    20.5% All 2017 cars
    11.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.7× usual
    Nissan Leaf
    12.9% All 2017 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.9% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Ball joint4.7× usual
    Nissan Leaf
    8.9% All 2017 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Nissan Leaf
    3.2% All 2017 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.4%, against 0.6% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

By area

The share of 2017 Nissan Leaf MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    35% 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
    29% 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.

  • Suspension
    25% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    8% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

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%
20163,873Suspension 37%
20153,969Suspension 43%
20142,964Suspension 48%
20131,212Suspension 55%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Nissan Leafs registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score