2020 Nissan Leaf E + 3.Zero — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 419 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Nissan Leaf E + 3.Zero, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 92.8% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.7%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.3% | 18 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.1% | 9 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 7 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.2% | 5 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 3 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.7% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wipers | 11 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 6 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 5 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 2 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 2 |
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 | 21.7% | 91 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.4% | 73 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.7% | 24 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.3% | 22 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 16 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.2% | 5 |
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 | 226 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 150 | 6.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 131 | 6.9% |
| 2024 | 134 | 6.7% |
| 2025 | 134 | 9.0% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Leaf E + 3.Zero
Before buying a 2020 Nissan Leaf E + 3.Zero, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.3% 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.
- Visibility (2.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2020 Nissan Leaf E + 3.Zeros pass their MOT?
92.8% of the 419 2020 Nissan Leaf E + 3.Zero MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Nissan Leaf E + 3.Zero?
Tyres, recorded in 4.3% of tests, followed by visibility (2.1%).
Does the 2020 Leaf E + 3.Zero get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 6.7% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 419 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.