Nissan 350 Z Reliability: Common Problems and Years to Avoid
What the Nissan 350 Z fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and how each model year's MOT pass rate compares with other cars of the same age. Based on 10,622 MOT tests across 15 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: performance | Fuel: Petrol
82%
Nissan 350 Z pass rate
81%
Nissan average
82%
All-model average
The Nissan 350 Z has an average MOT pass rate of 82%, which is 1 point above the Nissan average and equal to the average across all models in our data. Newer Nissan 350 Zs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 10 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
Check Your Nissan 350 Z's MOT History
Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.
What the Nissan 350 Z Fails Its MOT On
Of the 1,275 MOT tests on the Nissan 350 Z that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Lights and electrics
36%Cars and vans the same age: 49% (the 350 Z fails on this less often) · Typical repair £15-£200
Exhaust, emissions and leaks
35%Cars and vans the same age: 16% (the 350 Z fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£800
Suspension
34%Cars and vans the same age: 39% · Typical repair £150-£600
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
19%Cars and vans the same age: 17% · Typical repair £10-£350
Brakes
19%Cars and vans the same age: 29% (the 350 Z fails on this less often) · Typical repair £80-£450
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Petrol engine emissions: lambda reading outside the limits (13% of failed tests, exhaust, emissions and leaks)
- Position lamp: not working (12% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
- Engine warning lamp (petrol) on or not working (11% of failed tests, exhaust, emissions and leaks)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
Buying a Nissan 350 Z? Check it first
See that car's own MOT history and mileage free, then check it for outstanding finance, an insurance write-off and a stolen record before you pay.
History check £4.99, one-off. No subscription.
Nissan 350 Z Years to Avoid
Every car in the 2024 MOT data was tested at the same age as the other cars first registered that year, so each 350 Z year is compared with all cars from the same year. Years with 1,000+ tests that were at least three years old are included.
Failed more often than cars their age
No year passed 3 or more points less often than other cars of the same age.
A lower pass rate means that year failed its MOT more often in 2024; it does not mean every car from that year is bad. Old cars still on the road are often the best-kept ones, which can lift the pass rates of the oldest years. How a car has been looked after matters more, so check the MOT history of the car you are looking at.
Nissan 350 Z Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. All Cars is the pass rate of every car first registered that year, with the gap in points. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate | All Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Petrol | 3.7L | 95% | 5% | - |
| 2018 | Petrol | 3.7L | 90% | 8% | - |
| 2017 | Petrol | 3.7L | 90% | 10% | - |
| 2016 | Petrol | 3.5L | 88% | 12% | - |
| 2015 | Petrol | 3.7L | 93% | 7% | - |
| 2014 | Petrol | 3.7L | 90% | 9% | - |
| 2013 | Petrol | 3.7L | 92% | 7% | - |
| 2012 | Petrol | 3.7L | 96% | 2% | - |
| 2009 | Petrol | 3.5L | 88% | 11% | - |
| 2008 | Petrol | 3.5L | 80% | 18% | - |
| 2007 | Petrol | 3.5L | 83% | 16% | 73% (+10) |
| 2006 | Petrol | 3.5L | 79% | 21% | 73% (+6) |
| 2005 | Petrol | 3.5L | 82% | 16% | 73% (+9) |
| 2004 | Petrol | 3.5L | 78% | 21% | 72% (+6) |
| 2003 | Petrol | 3.5L | 81% | 17% | - |
Nissan 350 Z Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the Nissan 350 Z? Including fuel, road tax, the MOT and predicted repairs based on MOT pass rates, plus an estimated insurance group.
View Nissan 350 Z Running CostsCar history check for £4.99
Finance, stolen and write-off checks
Outstanding finance with the lender's details, stolen, write-off and keeper changes. One payment, no subscription.
Comparing checks first? See the cheapest car check in the UK and the best car check providers compared.
Nissan 350 Z FAQ
What are the most common Nissan 350 Z problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Nissan 350 Z that failed at the first attempt most often failed on lights and electrics (36% of the 1,275 failed tests), exhaust, emissions and leaks (35%) and suspension (34%). The single most common fault was "Petrol engine emissions: lambda reading outside the limits" (13%). Across 10,622 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 82% ended in a pass.
Is the Nissan 350 Z reliable?
The Nissan 350 Z has an average MOT pass rate of 82%, from 10,622 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). Comparing each model year with all cars first registered the same year, so that age is allowed for, it passed 8 points more often on average, a better than average result for its age.
Which Nissan 350 Z years should I avoid?
No Nissan 350 Z year with 1,000+ tests passed 3 or more points less often than all cars first registered the same year (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). The years that passed most often for their age were the 2007 (83% of 1,305 tests passed, against 73% for all 2007 cars), the 2005 (82% of 2,401 tests passed, against 73% for all 2005 cars) and the 2004 (78% of 2,083 tests passed, against 72% for all 2004 cars). A year's pass rate does not tell you about one car, so check the MOT history of the car you are buying.
How much does it cost to fix common Nissan 350 Z faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Nissan 350 Z typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific Nissan 350 Z
Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.
Other Nissan Models
Common problems pages for other Nissan models