Pickup · 1997–2021 cars

Nissan Navara reliability

The Nissan Navara fails 31.6% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 248,796 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 40/100#10 of 13 pickups

Checking a Nissan Navara before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 31.6%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 11% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 248,796; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 11,700; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Nissan Navara has a first-time MOT fail rate of 31.6%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 11% more MOT fails, and it ranks 10 of 13 pickup models. Year matters. The 2021 cars did best, with 8% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2017 cars had 32% more. Steering is the weakest area, with 102% more fails there than comparable cars.

A below-average model can still be a good buy if you check the right things. Ask to see the MOT history, and aim for a 2021 car if you can. Then check these before you buy: coil spring fractured or broken (3.26% of tests), position lamp not working (3.17%), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (2.59%), and diesel engine warning light faulty (2.54%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the Nissan Navara ages

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

Nissan NavaraAll cars

Nissan Navara first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Nissan Navara	All cars
3	18%	12.3%
4	21%	14.1%
5	23.9%	16.4%
6	26.5%	19.1%
7	28.2%	22.1%
8	31.7%	25.5%
9	37.1%	28.8%
10	40.9%	31.8%
11	42.8%	34.6%
12	43.2%	37.3%
13	43.8%	39.5%
14	44.5%	41.1%
15	44.2%	42.3%
16	45%	42.9%
17	43.4%	43.4%
18	42.4%	43.5%
19	43.6%	43.4%
20	40.7%	42.8%
21	46.2%	41.4%

By year

The best and worst Nissan Navara years

2021 cars come out best and 2017 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Nissan Navara MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 Navara	4,387	13.2%	8% fewer fails	36,101
2020 Navara	10,791	17.2%	9% more fails	45,071
2019 Navara	23,641	19%	13% more fails	50,800
2018 Navara	30,244	23.3%	25% more fails	58,779
2017 Navara	32,913	27.8%	32% more fails	66,531
2016 Navara	28,864	24%	0% fewer fails	77,030
2015 Navara	14,084	33.4%	22% more fails	85,398
2014 Navara	12,841	36.3%	18% more fails	93,647
2013 Navara	12,618	38.2%	13% more fails	103,965
2012 Navara	12,408	43.1%	17% more fails	114,108
2011 Navara	15,368	42.5%	8% more fails	124,418
2010 Navara	7,285	43.6%	5% more fails	125,030
2009 Navara	7,197	46%	8% more fails	119,173
2008 Navara	7,336	44.4%	2% more fails	125,617
2007 Navara	9,517	44.3%	0% fewer fails	125,649
2006 Navara	8,264	43.9%	3% fewer fails	139,294
2005 Navara	5,605	44.8%	1% fewer fails	134,628
2004 Navara	3,227	44.1%	2% fewer fails	120,257
2003 Navara	1,419	44.1%	2% fewer fails	125,748
2002	441	39.7%	10% fewer fails	113,940
2001	248	46.8%	11% more fails	113,331

Common problems

What fails most on a Nissan Navara

Its weak spot is steering: 102% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics13.2%16% above avg
Suspension11%27% above avg
Brakes8%17% above avg
Body, chassis and structure6.1%88% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.7%23% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks5%56% above avg
Steering3.7%102% above avg
Tyres3.6%47% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.9%84% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 3.26% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Position lamp not working 3.17% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 2.59% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
4
Diesel engine warning light faulty 2.54% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.08% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.07% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.02% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
8
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.91% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

Most common advisories

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

Tyre worn close to legal limit11.12%
Brake pads wearing thin6.41%
Engine oil leak, not excessive5.79%
Brake disc pitted or scored5.43%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy5.29%
Suspension ball joint slight play4.45%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Nissan Navara

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
3
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
4
Diesel engine warning light faulty
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed 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 Navara covers about 11,700 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

Diesel99.9%
Petrol0.1%
LPG0%

Most common colours

Black, Grey, Silver, White, Blue

Average engine size: 2.4 litres.

Compare

How the Nissan Navara compares with its rivals

Nissan Navara against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen Amarok	21.1%	17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mitsubishi L200	31.2%	about average for its age
Toyota Hilux	31.5%	4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Isuzu Rodeo	44.1%	4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Ranger	27.6%	5% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Navara	31.6%	11% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Isuzu D-Max	28.2%	18% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every pickup ranked in the pickup reliability index, or all Nissan models.

Questions

Nissan Navara questions, answered

Is the Nissan Navara reliable?

On MOT results, the Nissan Navara is below average: it fails 31.6% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 10 of 13 pickup models in our index.

What fails most on a Nissan Navara MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Nissan Navara are coil spring fractured or broken (3.26% of tests), position lamp not working (3.17% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (2.59% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 13.2% of its tests.

Which Nissan Navara year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2017 cars do worst (32% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Nissan Navara do a year?

A typical Nissan Navara covers about 11,700 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 Navara 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 Navara? Check it free.

MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.