2020 Nissan E-NV200: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Nissan E-NV200?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Nissan E-NV200 than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Wipers3.2× usual
  Nissan E-NV200

  9.9% All 2020 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.5%, against 2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Tyre pressure monitoring system17.7× usual
  Nissan E-NV200

  5.3% All 2020 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

• Brake lights13.7× usual
  Nissan E-NV200

  4.1% All 2020 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.2% of all 2020 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.

• Sidelights11× usual
  Nissan E-NV200

  2.2% All 2020 cars

  0.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.2% of all 2020 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.

• Number plate lights3.7× usual
  Nissan E-NV200

  2.6% All 2020 cars

  0.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.2% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2020 Nissan E-NV200 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Nissan E-NV200 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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
  18% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Brakes
  12% 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
  5% 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.

• Rust and bodywork
  1% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Nissan E-NV200

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

1. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2020 Nissan E-NV200 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the tyre pressure monitoring system? (Flagged at MOT 17.7× as often on the 2020 Nissan E-NV200 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 13.7× as often on the 2020 Nissan E-NV200 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?