1998 Nissan Patrol — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 341 MOT tests, the 1998 Nissan Patrol recorded an 81.8% pass rate. That is 6.3 percentage points better than large SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 24.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.0% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, position lamp and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 26 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 27.6% of 90-120k cars fail, rising to 7.9% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 35.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 21.5% in 2021 to 14.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.0% | 51 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.1% | 38 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.1% | 31 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.3% | 25 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 20 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.8% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 26 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 22 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 21 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 19 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 17 |
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 | 35.2% | 120 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 25.8% | 88 |
| 3 | Brakes | 24.3% | 83 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.9% | 68 |
| 5 | Other defects | 10.6% | 36 |
| 6 | Steering | 8.8% | 30 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 87 | 27.6% |
| 120-150k | 111 | 23.4% |
| 150k+ | 89 | 7.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 79 | 21.5% |
| 2022 | 73 | 19.2% |
| 2023 | 70 | 20.0% |
| 2024 | 63 | 14.3% |
| 2025 | 56 | 14.3% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Patrol
On a 1998 Patrol, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.1% 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 (9.1% 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 1998 Nissan Patrols pass their MOT?
81.8% of the 341 1998 Nissan Patrol MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Nissan Patrol?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by suspension (11.1%).
Does the 1998 Patrol get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.6% in the 90-120k band to 7.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 341 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.