Model reliability

Nissan Leaf reliability

The Nissan Leaf fails its MOT less often than most cars up to 5 years old: 10.3% of 17,990 tests failed in 2023, against 14% on average.

Up to 5 years old

10.3% failed their MOT

Better than most

From 17,990 MOT tests of Nissan Leafs this age.

6 to 10 years old

26.5% failed their MOT

About average

From 17,391 MOT tests of Nissan Leafs this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 4× as oftenSuspension arms8.6% vs 2.3%

Fails 2× as oftenBrake performance4.1% vs 1.9%

Fails 36% more oftenTyre tread depth3.4% vs 2.5%Fix about £90

Fails 33% more oftenWipers2.4% vs 1.8%

Advised 35% more oftenMechanical brake components22.4% vs 16.6%

Advised 3× as oftenSuspension arms13.3% vs 5.3%

Over 10 years old

33.4% failed their MOT

Better than most

From 947 MOT tests of Nissan Leafs this age. A small sample, so take it as a rough guide: a few cars either way can move these figures.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenSuspension arms13.4% vs 5.1%

Fails 3× as oftenSteering linkage components7.4% vs 2.4%

Advised 30% more oftenMechanical brake components22% vs 16.9%

Advised 3× as oftenSteering linkage components7.7% vs 2.8%

Safety recalls

6 DVSA recalls for the Nissan Leaf

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2024/23417 Jun 2024Built 2019–2023Juke (F16) Qashqai (J12) and Leaf (ZE1) VIN Scan

On affected vehicles the VIN stored in the vehicle system may not match the actual VIN of the vehicle. This may lead to a situation where a vehicle user can see information related to a different vehicle resulting in a data security breach.

Fix: Replace the navigation display / control unit and the telematics control unit.

Recalled models: LEAF · 1 vehicles

R/2023/21528 Jul 2023Built 2017–2023A potential concern affecting the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) logic of some vehicles has been identified whereby in specific and rare circumstances after switching off the cruise control function there is a possibility of unintended acceleration.

A potential concern affecting the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) logic of some vehicles has been identified whereby in specific and rare circumstances after switching off the cruise control function there is a possibility of unintended acceleration.

Fix: The software of the VCM will be updated.

Recalled models: LEAF · 37,574 vehicles

R/2020/2942 Nov 2020Built 2019The welded joint on the actuator plate within the reducer may be of poor quality and the park lock may not engage

The welded joint on the park lock actuator plate may be of poor quality and has the potential to fail during usage.

Fix: Replace the park lock actuator plate with a countermeasure part of all potentially affected vehicles

Recalled models: LEAF · 2,547 vehicles

R/2017/17319 Jul 2017Built 2017Headlamp auto aim function may not operate

Due to a non confromity in production the headlamp auto aim function may not operate

Fix: Reconfigure and then reinitialise the headlamp leveliser control unit on affected vehicles.

Recalled models: LEAF · 65 vehicles

R/2015/1334 Aug 2015Built 2013–2014Engine push start switch may malfunction

On affected models with a push start ignition switch the switch may remain in the pressed position and not return after switching the engine on. If the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition the emergency engine stop function may operate and cause the engine to unintentionally stop.

Fix: Inspect and where necessary modify the push start switch housing.

Recalled models: LEAF · 10,248 vehicles

R/2014/17119 Jan 2015Built 2013–2014Loss of steering control

A fail safe clip on the steering column may have become dislodged during the assembly process. As a result the column may not have been correctly assembled. Over a period of time and under certain conditions the column may work loose and disconnect causing a loss of steering.

Fix: On affected vehicles inspect column and where necessary replace the column shaft.

Recalled models: LEAF · 4,474 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Nissan Leaf before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Nissan Leaf reliability

6 DVSA recalls for the Nissan Leaf

Checking a Nissan Leaf before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.