Nissan 200 SX
Registered from 1990 to 2001.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 1999 2.0 petrol. 19 of 161 tests failed, 12%.
Better than 95% of 1999 cars. The typical one fails 26%, across 348 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 58% | 11 |
| Lights and electrics | 47% | 9 |
| Brakes | 26% | 5 |
| Visibility | 26% | 5 |
| Steering | 16% | 3 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 11% | 2 |
The defects inspectors cite
- 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
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Audible warning inoperative
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
Where it stands out against its peers
- Visibility: failed more often than 91% of 1999 cars — 26% of its 19 failed tests, where an ordinary 1999 car has 11%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 58% of its failures
- 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
- Brakes — 26% of its failures
- Steering — 16% of its failures
- Exhaust and emissions — 11% of its failures
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
- Lights and electrics — 47% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Visibility — 26% of its failures
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 120–140k miles this one fails 19% of its inspections, against the 29% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80–100k miles | 7% | 27% | 30 | |
| 100–120k miles | 9% | 26% | 32 | |
| 120–140k miles | 19% | 29% | 32 |
94 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 100k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.