Used car guide

2015 Nissan Serena: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Nissan Serenas, from 161 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 161 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

161MOT tests in 2025
85%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
7,000typical miles a year
14%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2015 Nissan Serena MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    14% 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
    12% 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
    10% 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
    9% 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
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    2% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Nissan Serena?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019151Suspension 23%
2018135Tyres 21%
2017150Brakes 21%
2016118Tyres 18%
2014292Suspension 15%
2013442Lights and electrics 19%
2012260Tyres 28%
2011193Suspension 28%
2010278Lights and electrics 35%
2009198Suspension 39%
2008162Suspension 40%
2007107Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Nissan Serenas registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score