Used car guide · 2001–2022

Nissan Navara common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Nissan Navara, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 213,386 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

213,386MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
10on the UK register
6known faults across all years
2006best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

What usually goes wrong with a Nissan Navara?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Chassis corrosion

    Cars registered 2005–2015 · All engines

    The D40 has been plagued by chassis rust. Nissan accepted the problem and some owners got pay-outs. Repairs mean patching or a new chassis, about £3,000.

    At the viewing: Have the chassis inspected properly underneath.

    Source: Farmers Weekly: tips for buying a second-hand Nissan Navara

  • Timing chain (2.5 dCi)

    Cars registered 2005–2015 · 2.5 dCi diesel

    The single timing chain is a serious weak point. A snapped chain usually means a new engine. A duplex chain upgrade is available.

    At the viewing: Listen for rattling from the engine.

    Source: Farmers Weekly: tips for buying a second-hand Nissan Navara

  • Head gasket failure

    Cars registered 2005–2015 · All engines

    A heater that stops working can be a sign of head gasket failure, about £1,000 to fix.

    At the viewing: Make sure the heater blows hot and the coolant level is steady.

    Source: Farmers Weekly: tips for buying a second-hand Nissan Navara

  • Worn driveshafts and blocked EGR

    Cars registered 2005–2015 · All engines

    Driveshafts wear out, and the EGR valve blocks and brings on the engine light.

    At the viewing: Listen for clicks on full lock, and check the engine light.

    Source: Farmers Weekly: tips for buying a second-hand Nissan Navara

  • Off-road damage

    Cars registered 2016–2021 · All engines

    Check the chassis and underside for damage from hard off-road use.

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the chassis and sills.

    Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Navara (Mk3, 2016 on) review

  • Brake light wiring recall (built to June 2016)

    Cars registered in 2016 · Early cars with a hard top

    Some early pick-ups with an official hard top could lose the high-level brake light through a voltage drop. A wiring upgrade fixed it.

    At the viewing: Check the high-level brake light works.

    Source: Auto Express: used Nissan Navara (Mk3, 2016 on) review

Common Nissan Navara MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 30× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

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

  • Ball joint

    up to 5.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 11.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2015.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 9.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Nissan Navara MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2006 Nissan Navara did best (55% passed first time, 1 point below all 2006 cars) and the 2017 did worst (69%, 11 points below all 2017 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202289%89% +0127 (small sample)
202184%87% -313,787
202080%87% -712,967
201978%85% -722,225
201873%83% -1023,709
201769%80% -1126,575
201672%77% -523,155
201563%74% -1111,700
201461%70% -910,548
201359%67% -810,284
201255%64% -99,937
201156%62% -611,814
201055%60% -55,705
200954%59% -55,369
200855%57% -25,296
200755%57% -26,693
200655%56% -15,824
200555%57% -23,895
200457%57% +02,330
200357%57% +0966
200261%58% +3311 (small sample)
200159%60% -1169 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Nissan Navara

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

  1. Has the chassis been repaired or replaced?
  2. Has the timing chain been replaced or upgraded?
  3. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 30× as often on the Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Nissan Navara?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score