Sports car and convertible · 2007–2020 cars
Nissan 370 Z reliability
The Nissan 370 Z fails 14.3% of first MOT tests, 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 6,483 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Nissan 370 Z before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 14.3%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 51% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 6,483
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 5,100
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Nissan 370 Z ages
Each point is the share of Nissan 370 Zs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Nissan 370 Z | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 8.8% | 19.1% |
| 7 | 10.4% | 22.1% |
| 8 | 11.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 12.6% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 17.1% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 13.1% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 15.8% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 16.8% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 15.9% | 41.1% |
By year
The best and worst Nissan 370 Z years
2010 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 239 | 6.3% | 49% fewer fails | 21,433 |
| 2017 | 306 | 9.5% | 34% fewer fails | 25,193 |
| 2016 | 339 | 10.9% | 37% fewer fails | 33,484 |
| 2015 | 302 | 10.3% | 50% fewer fails | 43,821 |
| 2014 | 265 | 14% | 35% fewer fails | 42,036 |
| 2013 | 235 | 14.9% | 41% fewer fails | 48,936 |
| 2012 | 413 | 11.4% | 59% fewer fails | 55,062 |
| 2011 370 Z | 1,104 | 16.2% | 48% fewer fails | 59,940 |
| 2010 370 Z | 2,332 | 14.8% | 57% fewer fails | 67,115 |
| 2009 | 836 | 19.7% | 47% fewer fails | 72,212 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Nissan 370 Z
Its weak spot is exhaust, emissions and leaks: 43% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.1%43% above avg
- Lights and electrics4.1%64% below avg
- Tyres3.1%45% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.6%45% below avg
- Suspension2.5%75% below avg
- Brakes1.6%75% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.4%58% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.3%10% below avg
- Steering0.2%89% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.37% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.36% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.06% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle 1.05% of tests
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
- 5
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.8% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 6
Windscreen washers not working 0.66% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
- 7
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 0.65% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
- 8
Position lamp not working 0.63% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Nissan 370 Z's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit10.57%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.64%
- Linkage ball joint slight play4.13%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy3.33%
- Sub-frame showing corrosion3.29%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking3.08%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Nissan 370 Z
- 1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 2
Lambda reading outside specified limits
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
- 3
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 4
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Nissan 370 Z covers about 5,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
Black, White, Grey, Silver, Blue
Average engine size: 3.7 litres.
Compare
How the Nissan 370 Z compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Ferrari 458 | 3.9% | 74% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Skyline | 14.2% | 60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan 370 Z | 14.3% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus SC | 21.7% | 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Abarth 124 Spider | 9.6% | 25% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MINI Coupe | 27.6% | 16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Alfa Romeo Brera | 34.8% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Nissan models.
Questions
Nissan 370 Z questions, answered
Is the Nissan 370 Z reliable?
On MOT results, the Nissan 370 Z is better than average: it fails 14.3% of first MOT tests, 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 22 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a Nissan 370 Z MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Nissan 370 Z are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.37% of tests), lambda reading outside specified limits (1.36% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.06% of tests). By area, exhaust, emissions and leaks fails 4.1% of its tests.
Which Nissan 370 Z year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2010 cars do best (57% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2011 cars do worst (48% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Nissan 370 Z do a year?
A typical Nissan 370 Z covers about 5,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Nissan 370 Z before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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