2005 Nissan Navara — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,972 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Nissan Navara, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension. Its pass rate of 70.0% was in line with the average for pick-up trucks of a similar age (70.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.9% in the 150k+ group versus 15.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 1,889 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.4% | 1,586 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.1% | 1,548 |
| 4 | Brakes | 14.1% | 1,547 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.2% | 899 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.6% | 504 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 1,059 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 891 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 850 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 767 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 683 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 676 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 35.4% | 3,881 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.7% | 3,804 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 30.4% | 3,337 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.9% | 2,184 |
| 5 | Tyres | 19.1% | 2,098 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.7% | 1,502 |
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 | 69 | 15.9% |
| 30-60k | 375 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 1,288 | 28.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,389 | 28.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,989 | 31.3% |
| 150k+ | 3,837 | 31.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,251 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 2,776 | 31.0% |
| 2023 | 2,091 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 1,618 | 30.3% |
| 2025 | 1,236 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Navara
Before buying a 2005 Nissan Navara, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (14.1% 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 2005 Nissan Navaras pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 10,972 2005 Nissan Navara MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Nissan Navara?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (14.4%).
Does the 2005 Navara get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.9% in the 0-30k band to 31.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,972 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.