2005 Nissan Terrano — MOT failures & pass rate
2,329 MOT tests on the 2005 Nissan Terrano are in this dataset, and 68.8% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 27.9% of the time, so this is 3.3pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (17.2%) and suspension (17.2%) 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 prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 250 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 26.3% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.1% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 37.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.9% in 2021 to 27.2% 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 | 17.2% | 401 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.2% | 400 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 14.5% | 338 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.7% | 250 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 9.6% | 224 |
| 6 | Steering | 7.0% | 162 |
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 | 250 |
| 2 | Joints | 185 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 178 |
| 4 | Chassis condition | 175 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 135 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 133 |
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 | 37.7% | 879 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.5% | 850 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 31.5% | 734 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.1% | 446 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.8% | 414 |
| 6 | Other defects | 16.1% | 375 |
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 | 160 | 26.3% |
| 60-90k | 489 | 29.2% |
| 90-120k | 750 | 30.7% |
| 120-150k | 593 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 308 | 32.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 747 | 31.9% |
| 2022 | 568 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 448 | 31.9% |
| 2024 | 323 | 31.3% |
| 2025 | 243 | 27.2% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Terrano
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: body, structure & corrosion accounted for 17.2% of tests. Start there.
- Body, structure & corrosion (17.2% 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 (17.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.5% 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 2005 Nissan Terranos pass their MOT?
68.8% of the 2,329 2005 Nissan Terrano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Nissan Terrano?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by suspension (17.2%).
Does the 2005 Terrano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.3% in the 30-60k band to 32.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,329 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.