Nissan X-Trail: what fails at MOT
129,000 MOT tests on the Nissan X-Trail in 2024, counted. 27.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
27.8% of Nissan X-Trail tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 24.1%, so the X-Trail does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (8.4% of tests), brakes (5.8% of tests) and lights and electrics (4.7% of tests). It fails on suspension, brakes and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,847 | 10.6% | 10.9% | 24,500 17,600 to 33,100 |
| 2020 | 7,058 | 11.2% | 11.5% | 30,300 21,700 to 41,200 |
| 2019 | 8,051 | 14.8% | 13.4% | 36,700 26,700 to 48,800 |
| 2018 | 13,203 | 15.1% | 15.6% | 50,300 37,800 to 63,800 |
| 2017 | 24,743 | 19.8% | 18.2% | 60,500 47,900 to 75,600 |
| 2016 | 21,452 | 26.3% | 21.3% | 69,900 55,500 to 85,800 |
| 2015 | 11,965 | 30.4% | 24.4% | 80,200 64,100 to 98,200 |
| 2014 | 5,681 | 34.0% | 27.7% | 87,200 71,100 to 107,300 |
| 2013 | 2,139 | 34.8% | 30.6% | 89,800 68,900 to 109,400 |
| 2012 | 2,294 | 36.0% | 33.4% | 98,500 75,700 to 123,400 |
| 2011 | 2,692 | 44.1% | 36.1% | 110,700 88,200 to 134,600 |
| 2010 | 1,829 | 45.3% | 38.6% | 118,000 94,800 to 142,200 |
| 2009 | 2,660 | 48.6% | 39.8% | 120,600 97,500 to 140,600 |
| 2008 | 3,951 | 48.8% | 41.5% | 129,200 105,200 to 151,400 |
| 2007 | 4,914 | 46.8% | 41.5% | 125,700 103,500 to 148,500 |
| 2006 | 5,579 | 49.2% | 42.4% | 126,800 103,100 to 148,200 |
| 2005 | 4,541 | 48.5% | 42.2% | 129,100 105,200 to 154,100 |
| 2004 | 2,834 | 50.8% | 42.3% | 126,200 100,700 to 150,400 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Nissan X-Trail tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | X-Trail | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension More than most | 8.4% | 4.9% |
| Brakes More than most | 5.8% | 3.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 4.7% | 6.1% |
| Tyres | 3.6% | 4.1% |
| Steering More than most | 2.6% | 1.1% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.6% | 2.8% |
| Body and structure | 2.2% | 1.9% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.2% | 1.8% |
The parts that fail most
- Ball joint5.0%
- Brake pads3.0%
- Track rod end2.5%
- Tyre2.1%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.8%
- Tyre tread1.6%
- Engine warning light1.4%
- Headlamp aim1.4%
- Wipers1.4%
- Side light1.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Ball joint: excessively worn4.7%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.8%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.6%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.4%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Side light: not working1.3%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
- Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn1.0%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin10.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement8.5%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing5.4%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive3.4%
- Ball joint: has slight play3.3%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Nissan X-Trail's own MOT record
Looking at a X-Trail? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.