Nissan NV250 reliability: MOT pass rate and common faults
Nissan NV250 cars first used in 2021 had an MOT pass rate below the average for their age.
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.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 66.5% to 71.2%.
In 2025, 68.9% of the 1,473 initial MOT tests on Nissan NV250 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 87.2%. That is 18.3 points below the same-age average.
Check a specific NV250
Nissan NV250 MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021age 4 | 1,47351,900 | 68.9%±2.5 | −18.3 ptsall: 87.2% |
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 upCommon NV250 problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.
Most common MOT failures on the Nissan NV250
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Stop lamp not workingLights and electrics | 29.3%134 tests | 1.8% |
| Position lamp not workingLights and electrics | 17.7%81 tests | 1.1% |
| Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lampsLights and electrics | 15.1%69 tests | 1.4% |
| Wiper does not clear the windscreen effectivelyWindscreen, wipers, mirrors | 13.3%61 tests | 18.8% |
| Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes | 11.6%53 tests | 8.2% |
| Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres | 11.4%52 tests | 9.9% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the NV250's failed tests in each year. How we count
What to check when viewing an NV250
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.
Tyres
- 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.
Windscreen, wipers, mirrors
- Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
- Run the wipers and washers and check the blades clear the screen without smearing.
- Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly and check the car stops 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 an NV250's MOT historyNissan NV250 questions
Is the Nissan NV250 reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 68.9% of initial MOT tests on Nissan NV250 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 87.2%. That is 18.3 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 NV250 problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 67.7% of failed tests), tyres (in 24.2% of failed tests) and windscreen, wipers, mirrors (in 19.9% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 4-year-old Nissan NV250?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Nissan NV250 cars first used in 2021, about 4 years old, had a median of 51,900 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific NV250'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 freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Nissan NV250
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 showOther Nissan models
- Nissan Qashqai−5.0 pts against the same-age average
- Nissan Juke−4.7 pts against the same-age average
- Nissan Micra−3.0 pts against the same-age average
- Nissan Note−1.1 pts against the same-age average
- Nissan X-Trail−3.8 pts against the same-age average
- Nissan Navara−7.5 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
All 16 Nissan modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Nissan NV250 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count