Used car guide

2008 Nissan Serena: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Nissan Serena first registered in 2008: we looked at the 445 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 445 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

445MOTs of 2008 cars, done in 2023–2025
69%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
5,600typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for brake pads

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Nissan Serena?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Nissan Serena than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Brake pads2.3× usual
    Nissan Serena
    20.4% All 2008 cars
    8.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.2% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Track rod ends2.3× usual
    Nissan Serena
    11.5% All 2008 cars
    5.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 2.4% of all 2008 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.

Common 2008 Nissan Serena MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Nissan Serena MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    35% 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
    29% 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.

  • Brakes
    28% 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.

  • 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Steering
    8% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Nissan Serena

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

  1. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Nissan Serena as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Nissan Serena as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Nissan Serena?

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 Serena compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2021225Suspension 34%
2020233Suspension 33%
2019382Suspension 27%
2018303Tyres 22%
2017349Suspension 24%
2016249Brakes 22%
2015323Tyres 16%
2014509Suspension 16%
2013963Suspension 16%
2012707Tyres 23%
2011489Suspension 24%
2010796Suspension 28%
2009588Suspension 31%
2007296Suspension 45%
2006186Suspension 41%
2001–Too few tests
2000–Too few tests
1999–Too few tests
1998–Too few tests
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994–Too few tests
1993–Too few tests

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 Serena cars first registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score