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Nissan Cube reliability by build year

Coverage 1998-20193 named generationsMPVPETROL

We've only got 769 MOT tests for Nissan Cubes built around 2011 (14 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Nissan Cube built around 2011: about average at the MOT

Nissan Cubes built around 2011 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Nissan Cube by number plate

Key figure

28% of MOT tests on Nissan Cubes built around 2011 ended in a fail (retests included), against 30% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Nissan Cubes built around 2011 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Nissan Cube's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Cube's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Cube Z12 (3rd gen)

Z12 (3rd gen) (2008-2019)

Excellent
PETROL

15.2% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Likely between 10.5% and 21.4%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 165 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Z

Z11 (2nd gen) (2002-2007)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROL

25.3% fail rate, built around 2007 (18 years old)

Likely between 19.8% and 31.7%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.3%)

From 202 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Z

Z10 (1st gen) (1998-2001)

PETROL
303 MOT tests across all agesView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Nissan Cube.

See every build year for the Nissan Cube

Side-by-side

Nissan Cube generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Z12 (3rd gen) (2008-2019)
Excellent
Excellent15.2%likely between 10.5% and 21.4%built around 2012 (13 years old)from 165 MOT tests at this age
Z11 (2nd gen) (2002-2007)
No ratingNot enough tests to rate
No ratingNot enough tests to rate25.3%likely between 19.8% and 31.7%built around 2007 (18 years old)from 202 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Cube, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Nissan Cube fail rate by age

This chart combines every Nissan Cube ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
6127.9%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
8528.2%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
6622.7%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
5617.9%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
6927.5%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
8122.2%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
7412.2%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
10516.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
16515.2%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
76927.6%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
74028.2%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
26221.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
26722.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
20225.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
16023.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
15628.2%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
12627.8%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
5736.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 22 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 14-year-old Nissan Cubes

These issues come from 14-year-old Nissan Cubes, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    27.6%
    Advisory: 232Fail: 94 (29% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    18.6%
    Advisory: 171Fail: 26 (13% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    12.7%
    Advisory: 106Fail: 16 (13% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    11.7%
    Advisory: 111Fail: 2 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.2%
    Advisory: 120Fail: 11 (8% of the times it was found)

Based on 769 MOT tests on 14-year-old Nissan Cubes, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 14-year-old Nissan Cubes notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension37%
  2. Suspension + Tyres27%
  3. Brakes + Tyres25%
  4. Lighting + Suspension22%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 398 MOT tests on Nissan Cube cars built around 2011 (14 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Nissan Cube.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

1 recall in all

1 Nissan Cube recall covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Cube (Z12) driver airbag

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.6%
    Dangerous
    4.8%

    Lower fail rate: 21.4%, against 27.6% for the Nissan Cube, both built around 2011.

    1,894 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  2. 2

    Toyota Verso

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.5%
    Dangerous
    5.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90%

    Fewer fails still not passed 3 days later: 4.5%, against 7.4% for the Nissan Cube.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,570 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  3. 3

    Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.2%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Cube on these figures.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,211 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

  4. 4

    Skoda Roomster

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.5%
    Dangerous
    6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.4%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 6.0%, against 7.2% for the Nissan Cube.

    1,788 MOT tests on cars built around 2011

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2011 (14 years old), the Nissan Cube across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 769 14-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Nissan Cube ever sold: 3,501 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2011 (14 years old): 769 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.