2012 · 12 years old at test · Mixed fuel mostly

2012 Nissan Leaf MOT pass rate and common faults

466 MOT tests in 2024. 64.8% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

101About average
Passed first time64.8%
Failed or needed repairs35.2%
Typical mileage at test57,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 466 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn8.4%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play7.1%
  3. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn4.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.2%
    17 marked dangerous
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.8%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.1%
  7. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.1%
  8. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
    11 marked dangerous
  9. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.5%
    9 marked dangerous
  10. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension21.9%
  2. Brakes15.5%
  3. Steering9.0%
  4. Lights & electrics8.4%
  5. Tyres7.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.4%
  7. Body & chassis1.3%
  8. Number plates & VIN0.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.0%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened16.3%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick13.9%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.8%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Nissan Leaf?

In 2024, 64.8% of 2012 Nissan Leaf cars passed their MOT first time, across 466 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Nissan Leaf?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 2012 Nissan Leaf reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 101, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).