Sports car and convertible · 1998–2021 cars

Nissan GT-R reliability

The Nissan GT-R fails 5.6% of first MOT tests, 76% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 10,189 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 99/100#2 of 62 sports car and convertibles

Checking a Nissan GT-R before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 5.6%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 76% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 10,189; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 4,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Nissan GT-R ages

Each point is the share of Nissan GT-Rs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Nissan GT-RAll cars

Nissan GT-R first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Nissan GT-R	All cars
3	4.8%	12.3%
4	4.2%	14.1%
5	2.7%	16.4%
6	4.9%	19.1%
7	3.9%	22.1%
8	5.8%	25.5%
9	7.4%	28.8%
10	6.2%	31.8%
11	5.7%	34.6%
12	8.1%	37.3%
13	7.2%	39.5%
14	5%	41.1%
15	6%	42.3%

By year

The best and worst Nissan GT-R years

2009 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Nissan GT-R MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2019	416	2.2%	79% fewer fails	14,568
2018	551	4.5%	61% fewer fails	19,255
2017 GT-R	1,020	3.8%	72% fewer fails	23,828
2016	733	5.3%	66% fewer fails	26,104
2015	613	5.5%	68% fewer fails	29,503
2014	558	5.2%	76% fewer fails	39,808
2013	549	7.8%	67% fewer fails	40,779
2012	662	5.6%	78% fewer fails	41,667
2011	736	4.8%	84% fewer fails	49,215
2010 GT-R	1,204	8.1%	74% fewer fails	54,563
2009 GT-R	2,743	6.2%	80% fewer fails	50,525

Common problems

What fails most on a Nissan GT-R

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.6%21% below avg
Tyres1.5%68% below avg
Lights and electrics1.2%85% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors0.9%79% below avg
Brakes0.6%87% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.5%94% above avg
Suspension0.5%93% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.3%86% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.1%83% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle 0.55% of tests
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.49% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.33% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.31% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
5
Catalytic converter missing where fitted 0.29% of tests
A missing catalytic converter increases pollution and is illegal, so it must be replaced before driving.
6
Headlamp aim set too low 0.28% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
7
Carbon monoxide above manufacturer's idle limit 0.27% of tests
Exceeding the manufacturer's idle limit suggests engine tuning or emission faults, so the car needs diagnosis before buying.
8
Windscreen washers not working 0.26% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Nissan GT-R's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit4.24%
Brake disc pitted or scored2.4%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy1.83%
Linkage ball joint slight play0.95%
Shock absorber light oil misting0.9%
Brake pads wearing thin0.89%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Nissan GT-R

1
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
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 GT-R covers about 4,100 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, Grey, White, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 3.8 litres.

Compare

How the Nissan GT-R compares with its rivals

Nissan GT-R against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Nissan GT-R	5.6%	76% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Aston Martin DB11	3.9%	66% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Alfa Romeo Spider	30.2%	18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
MINI Roadster	19.6%	17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
MINI Convertible	28.1%	14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Fiat 124	12.5%	6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Cascada	22.6%	4% 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 GT-R questions, answered

Is the Nissan GT-R reliable?

On MOT results, the Nissan GT-R is better than average: it fails 5.6% of first MOT tests, 76% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 2 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.

What fails most on a Nissan GT-R MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Nissan GT-R are carbon monoxide high after fast idle (0.55% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (0.49% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (0.33% of tests). By area, exhaust, emissions and leaks fails 1.6% of its tests.

Which Nissan GT-R year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (80% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (72% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Nissan GT-R do a year?

A typical Nissan GT-R covers about 4,100 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 GT-R 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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