2008 Nissan 350 Z — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,469 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Nissan 350 Z, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental. Its pass rate of 80.6% was above the average for cars of a similar age (75.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 38.8% in the 150k+ group versus 9.5% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.7% | 190 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.7% | 165 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 6.6% | 164 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.1% | 101 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.9% | 97 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.4% | 85 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 133 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 95 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 93 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 82 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 79 |
| 6 | Washers | 70 |
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 | 30.1% | 743 |
| 2 | Tyres | 21.1% | 522 |
| 3 | Suspension | 16.8% | 414 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 236 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.9% | 219 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 103 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 116 | 9.5% |
| 30-60k | 528 | 17.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,017 | 19.0% |
| 90-120k | 590 | 20.3% |
| 120-150k | 168 | 27.4% |
| 150k+ | 49 | 38.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 542 | 17.9% |
| 2022 | 534 | 19.9% |
| 2023 | 503 | 18.3% |
| 2024 | 451 | 19.5% |
| 2025 | 439 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 350 Z
Before buying a 2008 Nissan 350 Z, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 7.7% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (7.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.7% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (6.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Nissan 350 Zs pass their MOT?
80.6% of the 2,469 2008 Nissan 350 Z MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Nissan 350 Z?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.7% of tests, followed by suspension (6.7%).
Does the 2008 350 Z get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.5% in the 0-30k band to 38.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,469 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.