2012 Nissan Leaf · 1,549 MOT tests
2012 Nissan Leaf reliability
2012 Nissan Leafs fail 34% of first MOT tests, 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 11 Leaf years (1,549 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Nissan Leafs: 20%)
- 34%
- first-time fail rate (all Nissan Leafs: 20%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 21% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 10
- 53,521
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 10
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,549
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 38% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 7.6% of tests fail here (362% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: lights and electrics, 51% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Nissan Leaf
Fail rate by area
- Suspension17.3%
- Brakes9%
- Steering7.6%
- Tyres7.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.3%
- Lights and electrics5.1%
- Seat belts and airbags0.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 9.04%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 5.55%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 3.74%
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 2.78%
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.26%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.19%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Brake disc pitted or scored (13.49%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (13.43%) · Brake pads wearing thin (12.85%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (9.88%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (9.3%) · Suspension ball joint slight play (5.55%)
Other years
Every Nissan Leaf year
The full picture: Nissan Leaf reliability. Before you pay for any Nissan Leaf, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2012 Nissan Leaf reliable?
2012 Nissan Leafs fail 34% of first MOT tests, 21% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 8 of 11 Leaf years (1,549 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Nissan Leaf MOT?
Most often suspension ball joint excessively worn (9.04% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (5.55% of tests), anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn (3.74% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Nissan Leaf have done?
At its MOT aged about 10, a typical 2012 Nissan Leaf shows 53,521 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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