1998 Nissan Terrano — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Nissan Terrano passed 71.3% of its 390 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (28.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.3%) and suspension (13.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are prescribed areas, integral vehicle structure condition and component mounting prescribed areas — prescribed areas alone was recorded 67 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 37.0% versus 22.9%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.1% in 2021 to 19.1% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.3% | 52 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.1% | 51 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.0% | 47 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.5% | 45 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 8.7% | 34 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.4% | 17 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prescribed areas | 67 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 38 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 37 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 31 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 19 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 19 |
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 | 35.6% | 139 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.3% | 130 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.7% | 104 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.5% | 76 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.1% | 55 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 10.8% | 42 |
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 | 70 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 80 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 116 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 92 | 37.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 327 | 28.7% |
| Petrol | 63 | 28.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 129 | 34.1% |
| 2022 | 97 | 29.9% |
| 2023 | 71 | 28.2% |
| 2024 | 51 | 21.6% |
| 2025 | 42 | 19.1% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Terrano
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.1% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.0% 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+.
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 1998 Nissan Terranos pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 390 1998 Nissan Terrano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Nissan Terrano?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by suspension (13.1%).
Does the 1998 Terrano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.9% in the 60-90k band to 37.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 390 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.