Used car guide

2008 Nissan Serena: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Nissan Serenas, from 162 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 162 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

162MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

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

  • Brake pads2.8× usual
    Nissan Serena
    24.7% All 2008 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 2.1% of all 2008 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.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    40% 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.

  • Brakes
    33% 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
    31% 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
    27% 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
    8% 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
    8% 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
2019151Suspension 23%
2018135Tyres 21%
2017150Brakes 21%
2016118Tyres 18%
2015161Suspension 14%
2014292Suspension 15%
2013442Lights and electrics 19%
2012260Tyres 28%
2011193Suspension 28%
2010278Lights and electrics 35%
2009198Suspension 39%
2007107Suspension 51%

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