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Nissan Serena reliability by build year

Coverage 1991-20052 named generationsMPVPETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC

We've only got 150 MOT tests for Nissan Serenas built around 2018 (7 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Nissan Serena built around 2018: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Nissan Serenas built around 2018 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Nissan Serena by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Nissan Serena'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.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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

Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Serena's generation

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

C

C24 (3rd gen) (2001-2005)

PETROL
501 MOT tests across all agesView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

HYBRID ELECTRICPETROL
2,859 MOT tests across all agesNo separate page

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 Serena.

See every build year for the Nissan Serena

By age

Nissan Serena fail rate by age

This chart combines every Nissan Serena 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
8627.9%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
11920.2%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
16418.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
15014.0%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
16513.3%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
14915.4%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
21012.9%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
44814.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
49521.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
23921.8%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
30023.3%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
36922.5%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
24828.2%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
18627.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
11527.0%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
6529.2%

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 19 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Nissan Serenas

These issues come from 7-year-old Nissan Serenas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    15.3%
    Advisory: 32Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    14.0%
    Advisory: 34Fail: 3 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.3%
    Advisory: 18Fail: 4 (18% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    9.3%
    Advisory: 14Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    6.0%
    Advisory: 17Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 150 MOT tests on 7-year-old Nissan Serenas, every generation combined.

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 Serena.

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 Serena recall covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Possible misapplication of parking brake

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

    Kia Venga

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.8%

    Lower fail rate: 11.8%, against 14.0% for the Nissan Serena, both built around 2018.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    5,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Hyundai ix20

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Serena on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,239 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Volkswagen Caddy

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.1%
    Dangerous
    5.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.8%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Serena on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    14,271 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Renault Kangoo

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.3%
    Dangerous
    7%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Serena on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,481 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

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 2018 (7 years old), the Nissan Serena across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. This is based on 150 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Nissan Serena ever sold: 3,508 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 150 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.