Used car guide

2020 Nissan Serena petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Nissan Serena first registered in 2020 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 201 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 201 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

201MOTs of 2020 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
67%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 87%)
22,800typical miles a year
42.8×the usual rate for headlights

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Nissan Serena petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Nissan Serena petrol than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Headlights42.8× usual
    Nissan Serena
    21.4% All 2020 cars
    0.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 0.5% of all 2020 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.

  • Brake discs2.9× usual
    Nissan Serena
    20.9% All 2020 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Brake pads2.7× usual
    Nissan Serena
    19.9% All 2020 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.4% of all 2020 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.

Common 2020 Nissan Serena petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Suspension
    37% 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
    35% 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
    32% 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
    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.

  • Steering
    9% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Nissan Serena petrol

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

  1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 42.8× as often on the 2020 Nissan Serena petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2020 Nissan Serena petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2020 Nissan Serena petrol as on other cars the same age.)
  4. 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%
2019382Suspension 27%
2018303Tyres 22%
2017349Suspension 24%
2016249Brakes 22%
2015323Tyres 16%
2014509Suspension 16%
2013963Suspension 16%
2012707Tyres 23%
2011489Suspension 24%
2010796Suspension 28%
2009588Suspension 31%
2008445Suspension 35%
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 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score