MOT Risk Index.co.uk

Does the Nissan Sunny fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?

The Nissan Sunny records 30.63 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 20.04 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+10.59, 95% interval +8.97 to +12.20). It ranks 54 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).

Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Nissan Sunny by registration

What exactly fails on suspension?

The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Nissan Sunny 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”, recorded 864 times in 2019–2024.

Nissan Sunny: most frequent suspension defect wordings, 2019–2024 (30+ items each)
DVSA defect wordingItemsPer 100 tests
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 repaired86419.17
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated1192.64
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn1032.29
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage681.51
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc671.49

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,506 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

If a Nissan Sunny gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?

22.6% of Nissan Sunny MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.2 months and 1,410 miles later (698 advisories followed).

Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 698 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV

Other pages for this model

Nissan Sunny by postcode area · Nissan Sunny body, chassis and structure failures · Nissan Sunny brakes failures · Nissan Sunny lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Nissan Sunny noise, emissions and leaks failures · Nissan Sunny seat belts and airbags failures · Nissan Sunny steering failures · Nissan Sunny tyres failures · Nissan Sunny visibility failures