2005 Nissan Patrol — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 833 MOT tests, the 2005 Nissan Patrol recorded a 77.9% pass rate. Against large SUVs of a similar age (24.9% fail rate), the 2005 Patrol comes out 2.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.5%) and suspension (10.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, position lamp and chassis condition — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 61 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2005 Patrol fails 22.5% of the time in the 30-60k band and 20.0% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.5 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.7% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 96 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.7% | 89 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.1% | 84 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 59 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.0% | 50 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 2.5% | 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 | 61 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 39 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 38 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 37 |
| 5 | Wheel bearings | 31 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 30 |
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 | 41.7% | 347 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.4% | 278 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.7% | 206 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.3% | 152 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.1% | 101 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.2% | 85 |
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 | 71 | 22.5% |
| 60-90k | 137 | 21.2% |
| 90-120k | 240 | 20.4% |
| 120-150k | 221 | 26.2% |
| 150k+ | 145 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 208 | 23.1% |
| 2022 | 196 | 21.4% |
| 2023 | 150 | 17.3% |
| 2024 | 158 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 121 | 22.3% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Patrol
On a 2005 Patrol, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 11.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (11.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.7% 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 (10.1% 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 2005 Nissan Patrols pass their MOT?
77.9% of the 833 2005 Nissan Patrol MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 22.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Nissan Patrol?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.5% of tests, followed by suspension (10.7%).
Does the 2005 Patrol get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.5% in the 30-60k band to 20.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 833 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.