2012 Nissan 370 Z — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 586 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Nissan 370 Z, the most common recorded failure areas were emissions & environmental, lighting & signalling and tyres. Its pass rate of 88.6% was above the average for cars of a similar age (79.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 16.4% in the 90-120k group versus 6.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 24 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.6% | 21 |
| 3 | Tyres | 3.4% | 20 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.2% | 13 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.7% | 10 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.4% | 8 |
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 | 28 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 12 |
| 4 | Wipers | 12 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 11 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.0% | 117 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.2% | 101 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.8% | 75 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 36 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 20 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.2% | 19 |
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 | 82 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 263 | 8.4% |
| 60-90k | 180 | 17.2% |
| 90-120k | 55 | 16.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 123 | 12.2% |
| 2022 | 126 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 117 | 12.0% |
| 2024 | 115 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 105 | 11.4% |
What to check before buying a 2012 370 Z
Before buying a 2012 Nissan 370 Z, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Emissions & environmental accounted for 4.1% of tests for this year.
- Emissions & environmental (4.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Lighting & signalling (3.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.4% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2012 Nissan 370 Zs pass their MOT?
88.6% of the 586 2012 Nissan 370 Z MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Nissan 370 Z?
Emissions & environmental, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.6%).
Does the 2012 370 Z get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 16.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 586 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.