2006 Nissan Patrol — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 358 MOT tests, the 2006 Nissan Patrol recorded an 82.1% pass rate. Against large SUVs of a similar age (24.5% fail rate), the 2006 Patrol comes out 6.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests against 8.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are stop lamp, position lamp and headlamp aim — stop lamp alone was recorded 17 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 Patrol fails 17.7% of the time in the 60-90k band and 16.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.5 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 18.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 49 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.4% | 30 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.3% | 26 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 18 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 9 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.1% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 17 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 15 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 12 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 11 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 11 |
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 | 43.3% | 155 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.7% | 110 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 29.3% | 105 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.8% | 46 |
| 5 | Tyres | 11.2% | 40 |
| 6 | Other defects | 7.3% | 26 |
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 | 17.7% |
| 90-120k | 102 | 16.7% |
| 120-150k | 71 | 22.5% |
| 150k+ | 74 | 16.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 75 | 12.0% |
| 2022 | 82 | 20.7% |
| 2023 | 72 | 13.9% |
| 2024 | 64 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 65 | 18.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Patrol
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.4% 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 (7.3% 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 2006 Nissan Patrols pass their MOT?
82.1% of the 358 2006 Nissan Patrol MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Nissan Patrol?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.7% of tests, followed by brakes (8.4%).
Does the 2006 Patrol get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.7% in the 60-90k band to 16.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 358 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.