2020 Nissan Leaf: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Nissan Leaf?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Nissan Leaf than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints3.2× usual
  Nissan Leaf

  3.5% All 2020 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2020 Nissan Leaf MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Nissan Leaf MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  26% 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
  13% 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
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Suspension
  5% 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
  4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2020 Nissan Leaf

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Slow repeat rapid charging (early cars)

  Early cars

  Early cars limited rapid charging once the battery got hot, especially on the second rapid charge of the day. Nissan has since raised the limit with a software update.

  At the viewing: Ask whether the charging software update has been done.

  Source: What Car?: used Nissan Leaf (2018 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Nissan Leaf

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

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2020 Nissan Leaf as on other cars the same age.)
2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?