Common Nissan Leaf Problems, Faults, and Repair Costs
Every known Nissan Leaf MOT issue, ranked by how common it is and what it costs to fix. Based on 77,120 real MOT tests across 13 model years.
Segment: city car | Fuel: Electric
87%
Nissan Leaf pass rate
81%
Nissan average
82%
National average
The Nissan Leaf has an average MOT pass rate of 87%, which is 6 points above the Nissan average and 5 points above the national average. Newer NISSAN LEAFs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 15 percentage points.
Check Your Nissan Leaf's MOT History
Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.
Most Common Nissan Leaf MOT Issues
Ranked by how likely they are to affect your Nissan Leaf, with typical repair costs
Brakes
High likelihood£80 - £450
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Brake discs worn, brake pads thin, handbrake adjustment needed
Failure points:
Brake disc excessively worn, brake pipe corroded, brake efficiency below minimum
Suspension
High likelihood£150 - £600
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Suspension arm bush worn, shock absorber misting, spring corroded
Failure points:
Coil spring broken, ball joint excessive play, shock absorber leaking
Lights
High likelihood£15 - £200
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Headlamp aim slightly out, lens deteriorated
Failure points:
Headlamp not working, brake light not functioning, indicator failure
Exhaust & Emissions
High likelihood£80 - £800
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Exhaust mounting corroded, slight exhaust leak
Failure points:
Exhaust emissions exceed limits, catalytic converter efficiency low, DPF warning
Steering
High likelihood£100 - £500
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Track rod end has slight play, steering rack boot deteriorated
Failure points:
Steering rack leaking, track rod ball joint worn beyond limits
Tyres
Moderate likelihood£50 - £300
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Tyre approaching legal limit, slight damage to sidewall
Failure points:
Tyre below minimum tread depth, tyre has a cut exposing ply
Body & Structure
Moderate likelihood£200 - £1200
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Surface corrosion on subframe, slight body panel damage
Failure points:
Structural corrosion, body mounting corroded through, chassis weakness
Windscreen & Wipers
Lower likelihood£10 - £350
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Minor windscreen chip, wiper blade deteriorated
Failure points:
Windscreen crack in swept area, wiper does not clear windscreen
Is your specific car affected?
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Nissan Leaf Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, based on real test data
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Electric | 0.0L | 92% | 2% |
| 2022 | Electric | 0.0L | 94% | 3% |
| 2021 | Electric | 0.0L | 94% | 6% |
| 2020 | Electric | 0.0L | 92% | 8% |
| 2019 | Electric | 0.0L | 90% | 9% |
| 2018 | Electric | 0.0L | 89% | 11% |
| 2017 | Electric | 0.0L | 85% | 15% |
| 2016 | Electric | 0.0L | 80% | 19% |
| 2015 | Electric | 0.0L | 78% | 22% |
| 2014 | Electric | 0.0L | 74% | 25% |
| 2013 | Electric | 0.0L | 72% | 28% |
| 2012 | Electric | 0.0L | 74% | 24% |
| 2011 | Electric | 0.0L | 77% | 22% |
Nissan Leaf Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the Nissan Leaf? Including fuel, tax, insurance, and predicted repairs based on MOT history.
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Nissan Leaf FAQ
What are the most common Nissan Leaf problems?
The most common Nissan Leaf MOT problems are brakes, suspension, lights, exhaust & emissions, steering issues. These are the areas most likely to cause advisories or failures during an MOT test, based on 77,120 real tests.
Is the Nissan Leaf reliable?
The Nissan Leaf has an average MOT pass rate of 87%, which is 5 points above the national average of 82%. This is considered good reliability.
Which year Nissan Leaf is most reliable?
The 2021 Nissan Leaf is the most reliable year with a 94% MOT pass rate. Avoid the 2013 model year if reliability is your priority, as it has the lowest pass rate at 72%.
How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Leaf faults?
Repair costs vary by issue. Brake work on a Nissan Leaf typically costs £80-£450, suspension repairs cost £150-£600, and exhaust/emissions fixes cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific Nissan Leaf
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