1999 Nissan Terrano — MOT failures & pass rate
562 MOT tests on the 1999 Nissan Terrano are in this dataset, and 68.3% of them passed. That is 3.3 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 28.3%. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (18.5%) and suspension (15.7%) 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 124 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1999 Terrano fails 34.8% of the time in the 60-90k band and 33.1% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.7 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 42.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.2% in 2021 to 29.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.5% | 104 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.7% | 88 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.1% | 85 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 83 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 9.6% | 54 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.6% | 26 |
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 | 124 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 76 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 40 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 38 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 34 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 34 |
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 | 42.2% | 237 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.9% | 213 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.9% | 151 |
| 4 | Tyres | 17.1% | 96 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.7% | 77 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.2% | 74 |
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 | 92 | 34.8% |
| 90-120k | 121 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 156 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 154 | 33.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 193 | 34.2% |
| 2022 | 135 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 107 | 29.9% |
| 2024 | 80 | 30.0% |
| 2025 | 47 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Terrano
On a 1999 Terrano, body, structure & corrosion is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Body, structure & corrosion (18.5% 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 (15.7% 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 (15.1% 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 1999 Nissan Terranos pass their MOT?
68.3% of the 562 1999 Nissan Terrano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Nissan Terrano?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by suspension (15.7%).
Does the 1999 Terrano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.8% in the 60-90k band to 33.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 562 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.