Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 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 2009 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 2009 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 2009 Nissan 350 Z vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

24% 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 2009 Nissan 350 Z reliable?

Based on MOT data from 198 vehicles, the 2009 Nissan 350 Z has a first-time MOT pass rate of 86.3%, 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 2009 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 (2009)

198 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.3% first-time pass rate

2009 Nissan 350 Z

CarHunch analysed 198 real MOT records for the 2009 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2009 Nissan 350Z passes its MOT first time in 86.3% of cases, which is a solid 6.3 percentage points above the UK average—but the concerning figure is that nearly a quarter of these cars (24.2%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, making safety history worth checking carefully on any used example. These are relatively low-mileage cars for their age, averaging just under 50,000 miles, suggesting many have been cherished rather than thrashed, yet they still rack up 15.2 advisories per vehicle on average, pointing to age-related wear that sneaks up on owners.

The 2.14 average failures per vehicle suggests many owners are keeping on top of maintenance, but before buying one, request the full MOT history and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on those dangerous defects—brakes and suspension are likely culprits given the sports-car duty cycle. If the history is clean and mileage reasonable, you're looking at a relatively sound car; if there's any hint of past safety failures, walk away.

We have limited data for the 2009 Nissan 350 Z — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

86.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

24.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.14

Over 14.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

47k

Middle half: 33k–62k

For context

These stats describe 198 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 198 Nissan 350 Z cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Nissan 350 Z

Based on MOT data from 198 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 24.2% 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

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 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.

47,258

typical

32,894

low mileage

61,905

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Nissan 350 Z vehicles fall between 32,894 and 61,905 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 32,894 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.

✓ 32,894–61,905 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Nissan 350 Zs sit.

⚠ Over 83,571 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Nissan 350 Z — Still on the Road

Most 2009 Nissan 350 Zs are still being driven.

137 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 78% 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

14.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.14

Avg failures per vehicle

15.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Average reliability — agree?