2005 Nissan 350: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Nissan 350?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Nissan 350 than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.1× usual
  Nissan 350

  7.1% All 2005 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 2.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Airbag warning light2.8× usual
  Nissan 350

  4.4% All 2005 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.5% of all 2005 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.

• Rust around sub-frame mountings2.1× usual
  Nissan 350

  3.2% All 2005 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2005 Nissan 350 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Nissan 350 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  32% 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.

• Suspension
  32% 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
  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.

• Lights and electrics
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% 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.

• 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Nissan 350

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2005 Nissan 350 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2005 Nissan 350 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rust around sub-frame mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2005 Nissan 350 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?