2001 Nissan Navara: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Nissan Navara first registered in 2001: we looked at the 169 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 169 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Nissan Navara?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Nissan Navara than on all cars registered in 2001.
- Chassis rust or damage5× usualNissan Navara22.5% All 2001 cars4.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 1.5% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Common 2001 Nissan Navara MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2001 Nissan Navara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension49% 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.
- Brakes44% 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.
- Lights and electrics36% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Rust and bodywork34% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors18% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Exhaust and emissions18% 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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Nissan Navara
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 5× as often on the 2001 Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Nissan Navara?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Nissan Navara compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 127 | Brakes 17% |
| 2021 | 13,787 | Tyres 18% |
| 2020 | 12,967 | Brakes 18% |
| 2019 | 22,225 | Brakes 20% |
| 2018 | 23,709 | Tyres 21% |
| 2017 | 26,575 | Suspension 28% |
| 2016 | 23,155 | Suspension 27% |
| 2015 | 11,700 | Suspension 31% |
| 2014 | 10,548 | Suspension 35% |
| 2013 | 10,284 | Suspension 38% |
| 2012 | 9,937 | Suspension 40% |
| 2011 | 11,814 | Suspension 42% |
| 2010 | 5,705 | Lights and electrics 42% |
| 2009 | 5,369 | Lights and electrics 45% |
| 2008 | 5,296 | Lights and electrics 44% |
| 2007 | 6,693 | Suspension 43% |
| 2006 | 5,824 | Suspension 43% |
| 2005 | 3,895 | Lights and electrics 47% |
| 2004 | 2,330 | Lights and electrics 49% |
| 2003 | 966 | Brakes 49% |
| 2002 | 311 | Brakes 50% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Nissan Navara cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score