Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2008 Nissan 350 Z?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2008 Nissan 350 Z?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2008 Nissan 350 Z?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2008 Nissan 350 Z vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

36% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2008 Nissan 350 Z reliable?

Based on MOT data from 502 vehicles, the 2008 Nissan 350 Z has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.6%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2008 Nissan 350 Z?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Nissan 350 Z (2008)

502 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.6% first-time pass rate

2008 Nissan 350 Z

CarHunch analysed 502 real MOT records for the 2008 Nissan 350 Z. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2008 Nissan 350Z has an 82.5% first-time pass rate, marginally better than the UK average of 80%, but the 35.5% of vehicles that have ever had a dangerous defect is a serious concern—well above what you'd want to see in a used sports car. This suggests underlying reliability issues despite the decent headline pass rate.

These 350Zs show relatively low mileage for their age at around 56,000 miles on average, yet they rack up 2.88 failures and 19.3 advisories per test, pointing to age-related wear rather than hard use. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, braking, and electrical systems, since the dangerous defect rate hints at systemic weak points in this generation.

The 2008 Nissan 350 Z has a decent first-time pass rate (82.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

82.6%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

35.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.88

Over 15.4 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

54k

Middle half: 39k–68k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 19.3 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 502 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 502 Nissan 350 Z cars.

Before you buy a 2008 Nissan 350 Z

Based on MOT data from 502 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	501	82.6%	2.89

Colour Breakdown

Based on 9,407 Nissan 350 Z vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 35.7%

3,354

Black 20.9%

1,970

Blue 14.2%

1,340

Grey 11.6%

1,093

Orange 6.9%

650

White 4%

375

Red 3.9%

369

Yellow 1.1%

102

Bronze 0.4%

Purple 0.4%

Gold 0.4%

Green 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2008 Nissan 350 Z vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

54,065

typical

39,417

low mileage

67,933

high mileage

Half of all 2008 Nissan 350 Z vehicles fall between 39,417 and 67,933 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 39,417 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 39,417–67,933 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2008 Nissan 350 Zs sit.

⚠ Over 91,709 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2008 Nissan 350 Z — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 65% of 2008 Nissan 350 Zs are still active.

301 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 65% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

15.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.88

Avg failures per vehicle

19.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Nissan 350 Z: All 350 Z years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2008 Nissan 350 Z stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing