2003 Nissan Terrano — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,463 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Nissan Terrano, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 70.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.3%).
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 | Prescribed areas | 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
Before buying a 2003 Nissan Terrano, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 17.8% of tests for this year.
- 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 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.