Used car guide

2011 Nissan Navara: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Nissan Navara first registered in 2011: we looked at the 3,541 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,541MOTs of 2011 cars, done in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
9,500typical miles a year
13.3×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Nissan Navara?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Nissan Navara than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Chassis rust or damage13.3× usual
    Nissan Navara
    13.3% All 2011 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 0.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Ball joint2.5× usual
    Nissan Navara
    15.5% All 2011 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 3.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Rigid brake pipes2.5× usual
    Nissan Navara
    15% All 2011 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
    Nissan Navara
    13.1% All 2011 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Track rod ends2.5× usual
    Nissan Navara
    13.3% All 2011 cars
    5.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 2.6% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.9% here, against 10.8% of all 2011 cars. Tyre condition: 5.6% here, against 14.9% of all 2011 cars.

Common 2011 Nissan Navara MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Nissan Navara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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
    39% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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
    21% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% 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.

Known faults on the 2011 Nissan Navara

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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Nissan Navara

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

  1. Has the chassis been repaired or replaced?
  2. Has the timing chain been replaced or upgraded?
  3. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 13.3× as often on the 2011 Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2011 Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2011 Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  6. 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

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022127Brakes 17%
20216,886Brakes 17%
20204,167Brakes 19%
20197,185Brakes 22%
20187,665Suspension 27%
20178,694Suspension 34%
20167,598Suspension 32%
20153,812Suspension 35%
20143,375Suspension 38%
20133,284Suspension 40%
20123,106Lights and electrics 42%
20101,698Lights and electrics 42%
20091,531Lights and electrics 46%
20081,444Lights and electrics 44%
20071,778Suspension 44%
20061,534Lights and electrics 45%
2005982Lights and electrics 47%
2004619Brakes 49%
2003246Brakes 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Nissan Navara cars first registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score