2003 Nissan Terrano — MOT failures & pass rate
2,463 MOT tests on the 2003 Nissan Terrano are in this dataset, and 70.1% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (28.2% fail rate), the 2003 Terrano comes out 1.7pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (17.8%) and body, structure & corrosion (16.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, joints and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 295 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 Terrano fails 34.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 30.4% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.9 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 40.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.8% in 2021 to 26.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.8% | 439 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 409 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 15.1% | 372 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.5% | 235 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.4% | 157 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.2% | 152 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 295 |
| 2 | Joints | 215 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 175 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 156 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 139 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 124 |
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 | 40.8% | 1,006 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.0% | 911 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 32.8% | 807 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.4% | 553 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.5% | 407 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.7% | 361 |
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 | 34.3% |
| 30-60k | 129 | 27.1% |
| 60-90k | 543 | 27.6% |
| 90-120k | 786 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 575 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 378 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 808 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 613 | 30.3% |
| 2023 | 474 | 31.2% |
| 2024 | 317 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 251 | 26.7% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Terrano
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 17.8% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (17.8% 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 (16.6% 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+.
- Lighting & signalling (15.1% 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 2003 Nissan Terranos pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 2,463 2003 Nissan Terrano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan Terrano?
Suspension, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (16.6%).
Does the 2003 Terrano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,463 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.