2004 Nissan 350 Z 3.5L Petrol · FP04 TVM

The 2004 Nissan 350Z currently holds an expired MOT certificate, having failed its two most recent attempts in early 2026. The maintenance trend has shifted from stable to concerning. Between February 2023 and February 2025, the vehicle passed three consecutive annual tests without a single defect. However, the tests on 20 February 2026 at 125,166 miles and 17 March 2026 at 125,186 miles both resulted in failures, despite the records showing no specific defects logged. This anomaly suggests either a failure outside standard defect categorisation or an administrative rejection, leaving the car currently unroadworthy until the underlying issue is rectified and a pass is secured. The mileage accumulation is remarkably low for a twenty-two-year-old vehicle, averaging roughly 5,690 miles annually. Looking at the chronological data, the odometer advanced by only 810 miles over the three years between the February 2023 test at 124,376 miles and the March 2026 test at 125,186 miles. Such minimal usage indicates prolonged periods of stationary storage rather than regular driving. While low mileage might imply reduced mechanical wear, extended sitting introduces its own set of degradation risks that standard MOT defect codes might not immediately capture. A prospective buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection to determine the cause of the recent dual failures, given the absence of recorded defects. Vehicles standing for long stretches frequently suffer from perished rubber suspension bushes, seized brake callipers, and corroded brake discs, none of which always trigger standard defect flags during a brief test unless severely degraded. The 350Z's underbody and chassis rails require close scrutiny for structural corrosion, a common issue when these sports cars sit dormant. Inspect the tyre sidewalls for age-related cracking and check all fluid levels for moisture contamination or degradation. The recent test failures demand a professional assessment of the braking system, steering linkage, and structural integrity before any purchase is considered.