2020 Nissan NV250: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Nissan NV250?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Nissan NV250 than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Brake lights42.3× usual
  Nissan NV250

  12.7% All 2020 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.4%, against 0.2% of all 2020 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.

• Number plate lights15× usual
  Nissan NV250

  10.5% All 2020 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Tread depth1.6× usual
  Nissan NV250

  24.5% All 2020 cars

  14.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 1.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brake pads2.1× usual
  Nissan NV250

  16% All 2020 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Brake discs1.7× usual
  Nissan NV250

  12.6% All 2020 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

Common 2020 Nissan NV250 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Nissan NV250 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% 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
  26% 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 electrics
  26% 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
  16% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Suspension
  3% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  1% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Nissan NV250

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

1. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 42.3× as often on the 2020 Nissan NV250 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 15× as often on the 2020 Nissan NV250 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the tread depth? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2020 Nissan NV250 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?