2000 Nissan Terrano — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 566 MOT tests, the 2000 Nissan Terrano recorded a 73.0% pass rate. That is 1.2 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 28.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.4%) and body, structure & corrosion (15.6%) 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 90 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.2% in the 30-60k band and 46.0% in the 150k+ band, a 28.7-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.8% in 2021 to 19.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 93 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.6% | 88 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.5% | 65 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.5% | 54 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 7.2% | 41 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.4% | 25 |
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 | 90 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 64 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 53 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 33 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 32 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 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 | 36.4% | 206 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.7% | 174 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 29.9% | 169 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.3% | 115 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.7% | 83 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.5% | 82 |
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 | 58 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 125 | 23.2% |
| 90-120k | 130 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 111 | 27.0% |
| 150k+ | 37 | 46.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 195 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 147 | 27.2% |
| 2023 | 99 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 69 | 23.2% |
| 2025 | 56 | 19.6% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Terrano
On a 2000 Terrano, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.6% 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 (11.5% 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 2000 Nissan Terranos pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 566 2000 Nissan Terrano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Nissan Terrano?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (15.6%).
Does the 2000 Terrano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.2% in the 30-60k band to 46.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 566 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.