Used car guide

2008 Nissan Navara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Nissan Navaras, from 1,444 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,444MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,600typical miles a year
6.9×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Nissan Navaras than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Chassis rust or damage6.9× usual
    Nissan Navara
    16.6% All 2008 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 0.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.3× usual
    Nissan Navara
    16.9% All 2008 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 3.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Ball joint2.4× usual
    Nissan Navara
    15.7% All 2008 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 3.2% of all 2008 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.

  • Wheel bearings4.2× usual
    Nissan Navara
    10.8% All 2008 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Track rod ends2.5× usual
    Nissan Navara
    13.8% All 2008 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 2.5% of all 2008 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 2.4% here, against 12.2% of all 2008 cars. Tyre condition: 6.9% here, against 15.4% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Nissan Navara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    44% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    36% 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.

  • Tyres
    21% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022127Brakes 17%
20216,886Brakes 17%
20204,167Brakes 19%
20197,185Brakes 22%
20187,665Suspension 27%
20178,694Suspension 34%
20167,598Suspension 32%
20153,812Suspension 35%
20143,375Suspension 38%
20133,284Suspension 40%
20123,106Lights and electrics 42%
20113,541Suspension 44%
20101,698Suspension 42%
20091,531Lights and electrics 46%
20071,778Suspension 44%
20061,534Lights and electrics 45%
2005982Lights and electrics 47%
2004619Brakes 49%
2003246Brakes 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Nissan Navaras registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score