2005 Nissan 350 Z: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Nissan 350 Z?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Nissan 350 Z than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3× usual
  Nissan 350 Z

  7% All 2005 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7%, against 2.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Airbag warning light2.3× usual
  Nissan 350 Z

  3.9% All 2005 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Rust around sub-frame mountings2.2× usual
  Nissan 350 Z

  2.8% All 2005 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2005 Nissan 350 Z MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Nissan 350 Z MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  30% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  30% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  24% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Lights and electrics
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Exhaust and emissions
  13% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Nissan 350 Z

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2005 Nissan 350 Z as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the airbag warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2005 Nissan 350 Z as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the rust around sub-frame mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2005 Nissan 350 Z as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?