Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Nissan 370 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 370 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 370 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 370 Z vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

27% 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 370 Z reliable?

Based on MOT data from 303 vehicles, the 2009 Nissan 370 Z has a first-time MOT pass rate of 87.7%, 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 370 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 370 Z (2009)

303 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.7% first-time pass rate

2009 Nissan 370 Z

CarHunch analysed 303 real MOT records for the 2009 Nissan 370 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 Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 303 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 370Z passes its MOT first time at a strong 87.7%, well above the UK average of 80%, but nearly three in ten examples have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—significantly higher than typical and a genuine concern for any buyer. Petrol sports cars inevitably rack up advisories, and this one averages 13.1 per test, so expect ongoing maintenance chatter at each MOT.

At a median 51,581 miles for a 2009, these cars are running relatively low, which partly explains the solid pass rate, though the average 1.83 failures per vehicle suggests wear items and age-related issues are catching up. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the cooling system, suspension geometry, and clutch—the advisory frequency points to these as repeated weak spots—and factor in regular servicing costs typical of a sports car of this era.

The 2009 Nissan 370 Z has a decent first-time pass rate (87.7%), 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

87.7%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

27.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.84

Over 13.2 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

52k

Middle half: 41k–64k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 87.7% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 13.1 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 303 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 303 Nissan 370 Z cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Nissan 370 Z

Based on MOT data from 303 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 27.4% 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

Colour Breakdown

Based on 2,093 Nissan 370 Z vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 33.2%

694

White 21.1%

442

Grey 18.4%

385

Silver 9.7%

203

Blue 9.4%

196

Red 4.6%

Yellow 2.8%

Purple 0.6%

Green 0.3%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Nissan 370 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.

51,581

typical

40,925

low mileage

64,121

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Nissan 370 Z vehicles fall between 40,925 and 64,121 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 40,925 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.

✓ 40,925–64,121 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Nissan 370 Zs sit.

⚠ Over 86,563 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 370 Z — Still on the Road

Most 2009 Nissan 370 Zs are still being driven.

197 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 74% 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

13.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.84

Avg failures per vehicle

13.1

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Nissan 370 Z: All 370 Z years → Which year to buy? →

2010 2011 2012

Or browse all models: Nissan →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Nissan 370 Z stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing