2005 Nissan Skyline — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 927 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Nissan Skyline, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension. Its pass rate of 88.6% was above the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 10.9% in the 150k+ group versus 2.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 82 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 4.3% | 40 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.5% | 32 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.6% | 24 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 24 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.1% | 19 |
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 | 47 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 27 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 22 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 21 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 18 |
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 | 16.3% | 151 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.2% | 150 |
| 3 | Tyres | 12.7% | 118 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.8% | 109 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.4% | 78 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 70 |
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 | 38 | 2.6% |
| 30-60k | 95 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 281 | 11.7% |
| 90-120k | 237 | 7.6% |
| 120-150k | 165 | 20.0% |
| 150k+ | 110 | 10.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 226 | 11.9% |
| 2022 | 206 | 14.6% |
| 2023 | 190 | 9.5% |
| 2024 | 161 | 11.8% |
| 2025 | 144 | 8.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Skyline
Before buying a 2005 Nissan Skyline, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 8.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (8.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (4.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (3.5% 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 Skylines pass their MOT?
88.6% of the 927 2005 Nissan Skyline MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Nissan Skyline?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.8% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (4.3%).
Does the 2005 Skyline get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.6% in the 0-30k band to 10.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 927 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.