Used car guide

2018 Nissan NV300: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Nissan NV300s, from 373 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 373 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

373MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
11,900typical miles a year
8.8×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Nissan NV300s than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Track rod ends8.8× usual
    Nissan NV300
    15% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 0.8% of all 2018 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 joint8.5× usual
    Nissan NV300
    11% All 2018 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

  • Shock absorbers3.9× usual
    Nissan NV300
    11.3% All 2018 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

  • Number plate lights4.9× usual
    Nissan NV300
    8.8% All 2018 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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 2018 Nissan NV300 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    38% 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
    25% 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
    21% 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
    21% 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
    9% 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
    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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021701Brakes 24%
2020368Tyres 24%
2019351Suspension 28%
2017480Suspension 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Nissan NV300s registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score