CarHistory.cc
‹ Nissan

Nissan Leaf years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

52,067 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2013–2022 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

Nissan Leaf years with MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year: 2013–2017. Above it: 2021–2022. The other 3 years can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

80.5%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 80.1% to 80.8%.

In 2025, 80.5% of the 52,067 initial MOT tests on Nissan Leaf cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 81.8%. That is 1.3 points below the same-age average.

Check a specific Leaf

Its own MOT history, free.

Nissan Leaf MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2022age 38,75320,10091.0%±0.7+2.5 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 48,76428,20089.1%±0.7+1.9 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 57,74835,60085.5%±0.9−0.5 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 64,99541,80083.8%±1.1+0.3 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 74,92451,60080.6%±1.2−0.3 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 84,87252,00076.1%±1.3−2.1 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 93,87359,80066.3%±1.6−8.6 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 103,96959,40065.1%±1.5−6.8 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 112,96367,10060.4%±1.8−8.2 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 121,20671,40057.5%±2.9−8.3 ptsall: 65.8%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Nissan Leaf first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

90.8% of Nissan Leaf tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 65.2% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 90.0% and 72.1%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,00018,22190.8%±0.5+0.7 ptsall: 90.0%
30,000–59,99920,63180.5%±0.6−1.7 ptsall: 82.3%
60,000–89,9999,26767.4%±1.0−6.6 ptsall: 74.1%
90,000–119,9992,78962.2%±1.9−8.5 ptsall: 70.7%
120,000 or more1,14765.2%±2.9−6.8 ptsall: 72.1%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Leaf tests were above average under 30,000 miles and below average at 30,000 miles or more.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Nissan Leaf tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 12 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Leaf problems at the MOT

Share of the 10,172 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Leaf

Based on the areas where Nissan Leaf MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Suspension

    In 35.4% of failed Leaf tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  2. Tyres

    In 34.3% of failed Leaf tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

  3. Windscreen, wipers, mirrors

    In 19.0% of failed Leaf tests

    • Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
    • Run the wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing.
    • Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.

  4. Brakes

    In 18.8% of failed Leaf tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Leaf's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Nissan Leaf cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Nissan Leaf cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 10.0% failed on tyres, against 5.6% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 5,710 and 18,989 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory10.0%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted5.6%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 11.8% of those with a tyre advisory and 14.1% of the others.

Brakes

Of Nissan Leaf cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 8.2% failed on brakes, against 3.6% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 3,944 and 20,746 cars.

  • With a brake advisory8.2%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted3.6%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 11.6% of those with a brake advisory and 14.0% of the others.

Suspension

Of Nissan Leaf cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 21.9% failed on suspension, against 12.6% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,301 and 22,329 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory21.9%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted12.6%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 12.2% of those with a suspension advisory and 13.7% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Nissan Leaf questions

Which Nissan Leaf years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2013–2017. Above average: 2021–2022. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Nissan Leaf reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 80.5% of initial MOT tests on Nissan Leaf cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 81.8%. That is 1.3 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Nissan Leaf problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are suspension (in 35.4% of failed tests), tyres (in 34.3% of failed tests) and windscreen, wipers, mirrors (in 19.0% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Nissan Leaf?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Nissan Leaf cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 59,400 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Leaf's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Nissan Leaf

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Nissan models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 12 Nissan modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Nissan Leaf cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count