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Nissan Leaf Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Nissan Leaf (2011–present).

MOT Pass Rate

88.5%6.5% above national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Excellent — based on approx. 28,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

0.90%

Low risk

Retest Rate

8.0%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

11.0%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

8.5%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

7.8%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

9.0%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

2.0%

Where Faults Occur

27.0%

Front

24.0%

Rear

18.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

18,000 mi

At 5 years

30,000 mi

At 10 years

58,000 mi

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Nissan Leaf a Good Buy?

The Nissan Leaf demonstrates above-average reliability based on MOT test data, with a 88.5% pass rate. This places it 6.5% above the national average, suggesting lower ongoing maintenance costs compared to many competitors.

While no car is without faults, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues are the most common concern, affecting approximately 11.0% of failed tests. These tend to be relatively affordable to fix at £30–£150.

Nissan Leaf MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Nissan Leaf.

View Nissan Leaf MOT Data

Check a Specific Nissan Leaf

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Nissan Leaf.

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Other Nissan Models

Nissan Qashqai

80.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Nissan Juke

79.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Nissan Micra

77.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Nissan Note

78.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Nissan X-Trail

79.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Nissan Navara

76.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Nissan models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Nissan Leaf?
The top MOT failure on the Nissan Leaf is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 11.0% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Nissan Leaf MOT pass rate?
The Nissan Leaf has an estimated MOT pass rate of 88.5%, which is 6.5% above the national average of 82%. This rates the Nissan Leaf as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
Is the Nissan Leaf reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Nissan Leaf has a excellent reliability record with a 88.5% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 0.90% and a retest rate of 8.0%.
How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Leaf MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Nissan Leaf MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Nissan Leaf have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Nissan Leaf covers approximately 18,000 mi by 3 years, 30,000 mi by 5 years, and 58,000 mi by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Nissan Leaf?
The Nissan Leaf is generally a solid choice based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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