Used car guide

2009 Nissan Navara: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Nissan Navara first registered in 2009: we looked at the 5,369 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,369MOTs of 2009 cars, done in 2023–2025
54%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%)
8,200typical miles a year
10.4×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Nissan Navara?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Nissan Navara than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Chassis rust or damage10.4× usual
    Nissan Navara
    13.5% All 2009 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 0.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Wheel bearings6× usual
    Nissan Navara
    12.6% All 2009 cars
    2.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 0.8% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

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

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

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.1× usual
    Nissan Navara
    15.2% All 2009 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.3% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Exhaust system2.3× usual
    Nissan Navara
    18% All 2009 cars
    7.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Track rod ends2.9× usual
    Nissan Navara
    14.1% All 2009 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 1.7% here, against 11.4% of all 2009 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.7% here, against 10.4% of all 2009 cars.

Common 2009 Nissan Navara MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Nissan Navara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    45% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    42% 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.

  • Brakes
    33% 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
    21% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2009 Nissan Navara

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 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 10.4× as often on the 2009 Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the 2009 Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2009 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Nissan Navara compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022127Brakes 17%
202113,787Tyres 18%
202012,967Brakes 18%
201922,225Brakes 20%
201823,709Tyres 21%
201726,575Suspension 28%
201623,155Suspension 27%
201511,700Suspension 31%
201410,548Suspension 35%
201310,284Suspension 38%
20129,937Suspension 40%
201111,814Suspension 42%
20105,705Lights and electrics 42%
20085,296Lights and electrics 44%
20076,693Suspension 43%
20065,824Suspension 43%
20053,895Lights and electrics 47%
20042,330Lights and electrics 49%
2003966Brakes 49%
2002311Brakes 50%
2001169Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Nissan Navara cars first registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score