2016 Nissan Cube: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Nissan Cube?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Nissan Cube than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Rear fog light33.8× usual
  Nissan Cube

  13.5% All 2016 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.1%, against 0.3% of all 2016 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.

• Headlights9.1× usual
  Nissan Cube

  12.7% All 2016 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.8× usual
  Nissan Cube

  13.1% All 2016 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.9% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Common 2016 Nissan Cube MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Nissan Cube MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  34% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  26% 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.

• Tyres
  22% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  10% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Nissan Cube

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

1. Any recent work on the rear fog light? (Flagged at MOT 33.8× as often on the 2016 Nissan Cube as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 9.1× as often on the 2016 Nissan Cube as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2016 Nissan Cube as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?