2002 Nissan Patrol — MOT failures & pass rate
470 MOT tests on the 2002 Nissan Patrol are in this dataset, and 78.7% of them passed. Against large SUVs of a similar age (25.3% fail rate), the 2002 Patrol comes out 4.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests against 9.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are chassis condition, integral vehicle structure condition and component mounting prescribed areas — chassis condition alone was recorded 48 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Patrol fails 22.8% of the time in the 60-90k band and 21.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.7 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 32.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 23.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 60 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 45 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.9% | 42 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.9% | 37 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 19 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 48 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 33 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 33 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 29 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 29 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 23 |
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 | 32.8% | 154 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.1% | 132 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.9% | 117 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.5% | 101 |
| 5 | Tyres | 10.2% | 48 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.4% | 44 |
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 | 79 | 22.8% |
| 90-120k | 120 | 20.8% |
| 120-150k | 104 | 24.0% |
| 150k+ | 128 | 21.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 132 | 22.0% |
| 2022 | 109 | 19.3% |
| 2023 | 86 | 22.1% |
| 2024 | 76 | 19.7% |
| 2025 | 67 | 23.9% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Patrol
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.6% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (8.9% 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.
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 2002 Nissan Patrols pass their MOT?
78.7% of the 470 2002 Nissan Patrol MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Nissan Patrol?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (9.6%).
Does the 2002 Patrol get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.8% in the 60-90k band to 21.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 470 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.