1999 Nissan Patrol — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1999 Nissan Patrol passed 83.9% of its 304 recorded MOT tests. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 24.7% of the time, so this is 8.6pp better 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 (10.2%) and suspension (7.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, chassis condition and component mounting prescribed areas — position lamp alone was recorded 23 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 27.3% in the 60-90k band and 14.1% in the 150k+ band, a 13.2-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 31 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.2% | 22 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.3% | 19 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 14 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.6% | 14 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 23 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 17 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 16 |
| 4 | Prescribed areas | 14 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 10 |
| 6 | Washers | 9 |
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 | 28.9% | 88 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.6% | 81 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.1% | 52 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 45 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.2% | 25 |
| 6 | Tyres | 8.2% | 25 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 55 | 27.3% |
| 90-120k | 84 | 14.3% |
| 120-150k | 75 | 16.0% |
| 150k+ | 71 | 14.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 13.9% |
| 2022 | 77 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 64 | 15.6% |
| 2024 | 48 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 43 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Patrol
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 10.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (10.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.2% 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 (6.3% 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 1999 Nissan Patrols pass their MOT?
83.9% of the 304 1999 Nissan Patrol MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 16.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Nissan Patrol?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by suspension (7.2%).
Does the 1999 Patrol get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.3% in the 60-90k band to 14.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 304 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.