Small car · 1997–2021 cars
Nissan Figaro reliability
The Nissan Figaro fails 36.7% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 7,376 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Nissan Figaro before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 36.7%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 7,376
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Nissan Figaro ages
Each point is the share of Nissan Figaros of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Nissan Figaro | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | 33.2% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 34.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 41.9% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 38% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 36.2% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 37.7% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 39.7% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 37.9% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 32% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 39% | 42.8% |
By year
The best and worst Nissan Figaro years
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 239 | 32.6% | 11% fewer fails | 86,890 |
| 2010 | 363 | 37.5% | 2% fewer fails | 88,705 |
| 2009 | 542 | 42.3% | 5% more fails | 89,788 |
| 2008 | 751 | 35.6% | 13% fewer fails | 92,568 |
| 2007 Figaro | 1,048 | 37.2% | 11% fewer fails | 95,032 |
| 2006 | 945 | 40.2% | 5% fewer fails | 91,331 |
| 2005 | 996 | 35.2% | 19% fewer fails | 93,590 |
| 2004 | 856 | 35.3% | 19% fewer fails | 92,948 |
| 2003 | 427 | 38.6% | 10% fewer fails | 98,825 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Nissan Figaro
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 97% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics15.4%19% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure11%53% above avg
- Suspension10.5%31% below avg
- Brakes10.3%8% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.4%25% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.5%24% above avg
- Steering5.7%72% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags4.2%97% above avg
- Tyres3.3%53% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 5.9% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
Rear fog lamp not working 3.77% of tests
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
- 3
Seat belt anchor area weakened 3.42% of tests
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 4
Steering rack gaiter no longer sealed 3.15% of tests
A damaged gaiter lets dirt into the steering rack, causing wear and possibly costly repairs later.
- 5
Service brakes uneven across an axle 3.02% of tests
One wheel is braking much less than its pair, so the car may pull to one side and stop poorly.
- 6
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.93% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 7
Windscreen washers not working 2.85% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
- 8
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.49% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Nissan Figaro's MOT certificate most often.
- Engine oil leak, not excessive14.86%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy11.7%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.06%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion8.43%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit6.64%
- Power steering slight fluid seepage5.02%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Nissan Figaro
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
Rear fog lamp not working
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
- 3
Seat belt anchor area weakened
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 4
Steering rack gaiter no longer sealed
A damaged gaiter lets dirt into the steering rack, causing wear and possibly costly repairs later.
- 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 Figaro covers about 7,700 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
Green, Grey, Blue, Beige, Pink
Average engine size: 1.0 litres.
Compare
How the Nissan Figaro compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Vitz | 12.6% | 50% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Cube | 29.3% | 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Figaro | 36.7% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG ZR | 37.5% | 7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Suzuki Liana | 48.6% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Accent | 46.1% | 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Kalos | 53.6% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small car ranked in the small car reliability index, or all Nissan models.
Questions
Nissan Figaro questions, answered
Is the Nissan Figaro reliable?
On MOT results, the Nissan Figaro is about average: it fails 36.7% of first MOT tests, 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 8 of 63 small car models in our index.
What fails most on a Nissan Figaro MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Nissan Figaro are suspension mounting area seriously corroded (5.9% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (3.77% of tests), seat belt anchor area weakened (3.42% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 15.4% of its tests.
How many miles does a Nissan Figaro do a year?
A typical Nissan Figaro covers about 7,700 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 Figaro 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.
Found a Nissan Figaro? Check it free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.