2005 Nissan Murano — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2005 Nissan Murano passed 70.9% of its 1,580 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 24.9% of the time, so this is 4.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.9%) and suspension (14.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, ball joint and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 146 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.9% in the 30-60k band and 26.9% in the 150k+ band, a 5.0-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.5% in 2021 to 25.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 251 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.3% | 226 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.4% | 148 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.5% | 118 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 117 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.3% | 83 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 146 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 118 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 82 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 81 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 76 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 76 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.4% | 591 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.3% | 478 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.7% | 406 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.0% | 363 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.4% | 322 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 249 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 73 | 21.9% |
| 60-90k | 398 | 30.4% |
| 90-120k | 671 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 350 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 78 | 26.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,543 | 29.0% |
| Diesel | 37 | 32.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 501 | 30.5% |
| 2022 | 371 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 306 | 29.4% |
| 2024 | 234 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 168 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Murano
On a 2005 Murano, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (9.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Nissan Muranos pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 1,580 2005 Nissan Murano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Nissan Murano?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (14.3%).
Does the 2005 Murano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 30-60k band to 26.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,580 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.