2003 Nissan Patrol — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 588 MOT tests, the 2003 Nissan Patrol recorded a 77.5% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail 25.4% of the time, so this is 2.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.8% of all tests — 3.7 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, stop lamp and position lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 54 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 Patrol fails 19.6% of the time in the 60-90k band and 19.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 87 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.1% | 65 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.2% | 60 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 47 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.8% | 40 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.6% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 54 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 40 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 36 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 28 |
| 5 | Wipers | 27 |
| 6 | Prescribed areas | 25 |
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 | 33.3% | 196 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.6% | 180 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.8% | 122 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.3% | 102 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.3% | 78 |
| 6 | Tyres | 12.2% | 72 |
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 | 97 | 19.6% |
| 90-120k | 115 | 20.0% |
| 120-150k | 172 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 171 | 19.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 154 | 20.8% |
| 2022 | 144 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 116 | 19.0% |
| 2024 | 90 | 18.9% |
| 2025 | 84 | 21.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Patrol
On a 2003 Patrol, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.1% 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.
- Suspension (10.2% 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.
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 2003 Nissan Patrols pass their MOT?
77.5% of the 588 2003 Nissan Patrol MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan Patrol?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by brakes (11.1%).
Does the 2003 Patrol get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.6% in the 60-90k band to 19.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 588 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.