Used car guide

2017 Nissan NV300: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Nissan NV300s, from 480 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 480 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

480MOT tests in 2025

61%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)

12,000typical miles a year

10.5×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Nissan NV300s than on all cars registered in 2017.

Track rod ends10.5× usual

Nissan NV300
21% All 2017 cars
2%

Failed outright at MOT: 13.3%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.
Shock absorbers4.1× usual

Nissan NV300
15% All 2017 cars
3.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.
Anti-roll bar link joints12× usual

Nissan NV300
9.6% All 2017 cars
0.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 0.3% 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.
Brake lights7.1× usual

Nissan NV300
9.2% All 2017 cars
1.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.1% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Number plate lights3.5× usual

Nissan NV300
8.5% All 2017 cars
2.4%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

By area

The share of 2017 Nissan NV300 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

47% 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

26% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

24% 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

19% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

7% 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.

Looking at a Nissan NV300?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2021	701	Brakes 24%
2020	368	Tyres 24%
2019	351	Suspension 28%
2018	373	Suspension 38%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Nissan NV300s registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score