How reliable is the Nissan 200 SX compared with other cars?

We do not publish a comparison for the Nissan 200 SX, because the cars of this model that have been tested do not cover a wide enough range of ages and mileages. Its raw pass rate is 81.4% across 797 tests, but comparing a raw rate between models mostly ranks them by how new they are rather than how good they are. The failure and advisory patterns further down the page are still drawn from real tests and are worth reading.

What do testers most often warn about on a Nissan 200 SX?

The most common advisory is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", noted on 13.3% of all Nissan 200 SX tests. An advisory is not a failure: it flags something that will likely need attention before the next test.

What mileage does a Nissan 200 SX usually have at its MOT?

The average odometer reading recorded at test is 104,235 miles. This is the mileage across all tested examples of every age, not an annual figure, so treat it as a description of the fleet rather than a target for one car.

Model reliability file

Nissan 200 SX MOT pass rate & common failures

From 797 recorded MOT tests of the Nissan 200 SX, published by DVSA.

Data updated 29 July 2026

Quick answer

Across 797 MOT tests, 81.4% of Nissan 200 SX tests ended in a pass. This figure is not adjusted for age or mileage, so it is not a reliability ranking: the Nissan 200 SX fleet does not yet cover a wide enough spread of ages and distances to compare it fairly against other models. Its most commonly recorded failure is strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, which appears in 28.3% of failed tests. Cars of this model average 104,235 miles on the odometer when tested.

At a glance

Recorded pass rate

81.4%unadjusted, not comparable797 tests

We are not publishing a ranking for the 200 SX. The examples tested do not cover a wide enough spread of ages and mileages to compare it fairly, and an unadjusted pass rate mostly sorts models by how recently they were bought rather than how well they were built. The failure and advisory patterns below come from the same 797 tests and are worth reading on their own terms.

DVSA recorded wording

Most common failure items

Share of failed Nissan 200 SX tests in which each item was recorded. One failed test often lists several items, so these do not sum to 100%.

1.The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired28.3%
32 occurrencesSuspension mounting corroded or insecure explained
2.An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning15.9%
18 occurrencesLamp not working explained
3.Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer14.2%
16 occurrencesEmissions above the permitted limit explained
4.Audible warning inoperative14.2%
16 occurrencesHorn not working, or of the wrong type explained
5.Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen11.5%
13 occurrencesWiper or washer not working properly explained
6.A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning10.6%
12 occurrencesLamp not working explained
7.Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits10.6%
12 occurrencesEmissions above the permitted limit explained
8.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements9.7%
11 occurrencesHeadlamp aim incorrect explained
9.The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements8.8%
10 occurrencesHeadlamp aim incorrect explained
10.Emissions test unable to be completed8.8%
10 occurrences

Warnings without a failure

Most common advisories

Share of all Nissan 200 SX tests carrying each advisory. The denominator differs from the failure list above because an advisory can be issued on a car that passed.

1.Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements13.3%
106 testsTyre worn close to the legal limit explained
2.Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users10.4%
83 tests
3.Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured8.2%
65 testsBrake disc worn, pitted or scored explained
4.Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded7.7%
61 testsBrake pipe corroded explained
5.Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced4.6%
37 testsCorrosion in a structural area explained
6.A tyre seriously damaged4.6%
37 testsTyre damaged or deteriorated explained
7.Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted4.3%
34 testsExhaust leaking or insecure explained
8.A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm4.1%
33 testsBrake drum or shoe worn or contaminated explained

What gets tested

The 200 SX fleet

Average mileage recorded at test: 104,235
Fuel mix of tested cars: Petrol100.0%

Check a specific Nissan 200 SX

A model average tells you the pattern. Its own MOT record tells you the car.

Compare within the range

Other Nissan models

Nissan Qashqai — 67.4% adjusted
Nissan Juke — 66.5% adjusted
Nissan Micra — 63.8% adjusted
Nissan Note — 65.9% adjusted
Nissan X-Trail — 70.5% adjusted
Nissan Navara — 68.6% adjusted
All Nissan models

Common questions

How reliable is the Nissan 200 SX compared with other cars?: We do not publish a comparison for the Nissan 200 SX, because the cars of this model that have been tested do not cover a wide enough range of ages and mileages. Its raw pass rate is 81.4% across 797 tests, but comparing a raw rate between models mostly ranks them by how new they are rather than how good they are. The failure and advisory patterns further down the page are still drawn from real tests and are worth reading.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Nissan 200 SX?: The item recorded most often is "The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired", which appears in 28.3% of failed Nissan 200 SX tests. Because one failed test can list several items, these shares do not add up to 100%.
What do testers most often warn about on a Nissan 200 SX?: The most common advisory is "Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements", noted on 13.3% of all Nissan 200 SX tests. An advisory is not a failure: it flags something that will likely need attention before the next test.
What mileage does a Nissan 200 SX usually have at its MOT?: The average odometer reading recorded at test is 104,235 miles. This is the mileage across all tested examples of every age, not an annual figure, so treat it as a description of the fleet rather than a target for one car.

How this was worked out

Method and limits

Figures come from the DVSA anonymised MOT testing dataset, published under the Open Government Licence. Only class 4 initial tests are counted: retests are excluded so a car appears once, and abandoned tests are excluded entirely. No adjusted rate is shown because this model's tested examples do not cover enough of the national age and mileage range for standardisation to mean anything.

An MOT measures whether a car met a legal standard on the day. It is not a breakdown record, a service history or a running-cost estimate, and a pass rate is a property of a fleet rather than a prediction about one car.