2020 Nissan Leaf E + N-Tec — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,307 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Nissan Leaf E + N-Tec, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 92.0% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 12.8% in the 90-120k group versus 5.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.1% | 117 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.3% | 53 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 35 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.4% | 33 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.3% | 29 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.2% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 58 |
| 2 | Wipers | 56 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 18 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 18 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 15 |
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 | 19.9% | 459 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.0% | 346 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.6% | 107 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.4% | 101 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 67 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 1.5% | 35 |
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 | 1,027 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 887 | 8.7% |
| 60-90k | 260 | 12.7% |
| 90-120k | 86 | 12.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 121 | 5.8% |
| 2023 | 698 | 6.3% |
| 2024 | 711 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 712 | 10.5% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Leaf E + N-Tec
Before buying a 2020 Nissan Leaf E + N-Tec, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.1% 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 (2.3% 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 (1.5% 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 + N-Tecs pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 2,307 2020 Nissan Leaf E + N-Tec MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Nissan Leaf E + N-Tec?
Tyres, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by visibility (2.3%).
Does the 2020 Leaf E + N-Tec get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 12.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,307 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.