Nissan Leaf (2017)
2017 Nissan Leaf
CarHunch analysed 5,289 real MOT records for the 2017 Nissan Leaf. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2017 Nissan Leaf passes its MOT first time at 87.7%, well above the UK average of 80%, which is a strong endorsement of its basic reliability. However, nearly a quarter of these cars (24.4%) have experienced a dangerous defect at some point, so structural or safety issues do occasionally emerge and warrant a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
At 36,629 miles median, these Leafs are running relatively low mileage for seven-year-old vehicles, suggesting many owners use them for commuting rather than high-mileage driving. The average car picks up just under one failure but 7.6 advisories per test, pointing to minor wear items like brake pads and wiper condition rather than serious mechanical problems—before buying, get a full diagnostic on the battery health and thermal management system, since these are the components you can't easily replace.
What to check before buying a 2017 Nissan Leaf
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 24.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Nissan Leaf
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (100%) | 5,287 | 87.7% | 0.99 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (0%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2017 Nissan Leaf vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2017 Nissan Leaf vehicles fall between 26,937 and 48,935 miles.
2017 Nissan Leaf — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 4,701 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 92% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2017 Nissan Leaf
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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1%
COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION
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0%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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0%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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0%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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0%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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0%
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play
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0%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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0%
Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2017. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Nissan Leaf?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.