2001 Nissan Terrano — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2001 Nissan Terrano passed 72.1% of its 789 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (17.9%) and lighting & signalling (16.6%) 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 chassis condition — prescribed areas alone was recorded 98 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.0% in the 0-30k band and 36.8% in the 150k+ band, a 11.8-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.3% in 2021 to 22.9% 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 | 17.9% | 141 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.6% | 131 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.9% | 102 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.2% | 65 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.3% | 50 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.6% | 36 |
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 | 98 |
| 2 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 91 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 63 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 52 |
| 5 | Linkage ball joints | 46 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 45 |
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 | 37.5% | 296 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.4% | 271 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 31.1% | 245 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.5% | 154 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.8% | 117 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 116 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 72 | 25.0% |
| 30-60k | 65 | 30.8% |
| 60-90k | 173 | 24.9% |
| 90-120k | 120 | 20.0% |
| 120-150k | 109 | 25.7% |
| 150k+ | 68 | 36.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 283 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 201 | 31.8% |
| 2023 | 139 | 28.1% |
| 2024 | 96 | 18.8% |
| 2025 | 70 | 22.9% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Terrano
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: body, structure & corrosion accounted for 17.9% of tests. Start there.
- Body, structure & corrosion (17.9% 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+.
- Lighting & signalling (16.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% 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 2001 Nissan Terranos pass their MOT?
72.1% of the 789 2001 Nissan Terrano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Nissan Terrano?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 17.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.6%).
Does the 2001 Terrano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 0-30k band to 36.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 789 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.