2002 Nissan Terrano — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Nissan Terrano passed 69.8% of its 1,823 recorded MOT tests. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 28.2% of the time, so this is 2.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (16.7%) and body, structure & corrosion (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, component mounting prescribed areas and joints — prescribed areas alone was recorded 132 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2002 Terrano fails 31.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 34.5% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.1 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 42.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.0% in 2021 to 27.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 16.7% | 304 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 286 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 271 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.9% | 180 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.8% | 124 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 90 |
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 | 132 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 132 |
| 3 | Joints | 117 |
| 4 | Exhaust system | 115 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 103 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 94 |
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 | 42.4% | 773 |
| 2 | Brakes | 35.2% | 641 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 34.6% | 630 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.7% | 377 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.2% | 296 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.1% | 239 |
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 | 35 | 31.4% |
| 30-60k | 124 | 27.4% |
| 60-90k | 357 | 31.4% |
| 90-120k | 516 | 27.9% |
| 120-150k | 426 | 29.3% |
| 150k+ | 310 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 618 | 32.0% |
| 2022 | 435 | 30.1% |
| 2023 | 326 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 252 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 192 | 27.6% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Terrano
On a 2002 Terrano, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (16.7% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.7% 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 (14.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2002 Nissan Terranos pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 1,823 2002 Nissan Terrano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Nissan Terrano?
Suspension, recorded in 16.7% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (15.7%).
Does the 2002 Terrano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.4% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,823 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.