Used car guide

2021 Nissan Navara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Nissan Navaras, from 6,886 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

6,886MOT tests in 2025
82%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
12,300typical miles a year
1.6×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Nissan Navaras than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Brake pads1.6× usual
    Nissan Navara
    10.9% All 2021 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Engine oil leaks10.5× usual
    Nissan Navara
    4.2% All 2021 cars
    0.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Coil springs17.5× usual
    Nissan Navara
    3.5% All 2021 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 3.1% here, against 11.5% of all 2021 cars.

By area

The share of 2021 Nissan Navara 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.

  • Tyres
    17% 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    7% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% 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%
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%
20081,444Suspension 44%
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 2021 Nissan Navaras registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score