Nissan Leaf (2018)
2018 Nissan Leaf
CarHunch analysed 5,254 real MOT records for the 2018 Nissan Leaf. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 Nissan Leaf passes its MOT first time 85.5% of the time, which is a solid 5.5 percentage points above the UK average—and nearly all of these are electric versions, which have fewer moving parts to fail. However, nearly one in five (19.8%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine concern for safety-critical systems like brakes or steering.
At 40,124 miles average, these Leafs are running relatively low mileage for their age, suggesting they've been pampered—yet they're still averaging 4.9 advisories per test, mostly minor wear items rather than structural failures. If you're considering one, get the battery health and brake condition independently checked before purchase, as those are the expensive failure points on older electrics.
What to check before buying a 2018 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.
- 📄 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.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (100%) | 5,251 | 85.5% | 0.68 |
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (0%) | 3 | 91.7% | 0.33 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 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 2018 Nissan Leaf vehicles fall between 25,502 and 50,587 miles.
2018 Nissan Leaf — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 4,630 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 96% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 Nissan Leaf
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
1%
COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION
-
0%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
0%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
0%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
0%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
0%
Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play
-
0%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
0%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge bald along its inner edge and worn to its legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. 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.