2008 Dodge Nitro — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,673 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Dodge Nitro, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 71.3% was below the average for cars of a similar age (75.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.5% in the 150k+ group versus 21.6% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 19.2% | 704 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 662 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.9% | 362 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.9% | 218 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.4% | 162 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.3% | 156 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 348 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 311 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 215 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 212 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 198 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 157 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 28.3% | 1,039 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.4% | 934 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.1% | 921 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 537 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 390 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.7% | 355 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 250 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 935 | 26.6% |
| 90-120k | 1,464 | 29.5% |
| 120-150k | 765 | 30.3% |
| 150k+ | 252 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,283 | 29.1% |
| Petrol | 390 | 24.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 850 | 26.1% |
| 2022 | 819 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 786 | 31.0% |
| 2024 | 662 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 556 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Nitro
Before buying a 2008 Dodge Nitro, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 19.2% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (19.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Dodge Nitros pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 3,673 2008 Dodge Nitro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Dodge Nitro?
Brakes, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.0%).
Does the 2008 Nitro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 30-60k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,673 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.