Nissan Skyline: MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Nissan Skyline passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 11.2 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 2,108 individual Nissan Skyline tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

First-time pass rate87.9%
UK national average76.7%
Difference+11.2 points
Tests analysed2,108
Average mileage at test85,228 miles
Average year of manufacture2004
Reliability rank1,001 of 2,005 models

What this means if you are buying one

A 87.9% first-time pass rate means roughly 12 in every 100 Nissan Skylines presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Nissan Skyline tested had covered 85,228 miles and was built around 2004.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. On a Nissan Skyline bought as a repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Nissan Skyline rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see what damaged Nissan Skylines actually sold for at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Nissan Skyline

  1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 1.7% of tests (5.9x the national rate for this defect)
  2. Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, 1.1% of tests (4.9x the national rate for this defect)
  3. An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.4% of tests (4.25x the national rate for this defect)
  4. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 0.9% of tests (2.36x the national rate for this defect)
  5. Emissions test unable to be completed, 0.5% of tests (1.6x the national rate for this defect)
  6. The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, 1.2% of tests (1.47x the national rate for this defect)
  7. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.4% of tests
  8. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 1% of tests
  9. A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED, 1% of tests
  10. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1% of tests

From 4,178 DVSA-tracked Nissan Skyline tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 3.03% of these flagged Nissan Skyline defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 4.97% nationally.

Other Nissan models

Models with a similar pass rate

If this car is a salvage or write-off

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate