2006 Nissan Terrano — MOT failures & pass rate
582 MOT tests on the 2006 Nissan Terrano are in this dataset, and 68.0% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (27.7% fail rate), the 2006 Terrano comes out 4.3pp worse. Failures cluster in body, structure & corrosion, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — body, structure & corrosion (18.4%) and lighting & signalling (16.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, component mounting prescribed areas and exhaust system — joints alone was recorded 57 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 35.2% of 60-90k cars fail, rising to 30.4% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.6% in 2021 to 28.6% 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 | 18.4% | 107 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.3% | 95 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.6% | 91 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.8% | 63 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 8.9% | 52 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.5% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 57 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 44 |
| 3 | Exhaust system | 40 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 39 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 38 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 36 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 40.0% | 233 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.3% | 217 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 33.5% | 195 |
| 4 | Tyres | 18.9% | 110 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.8% | 86 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.8% | 80 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 108 | 35.2% |
| 90-120k | 182 | 31.3% |
| 120-150k | 157 | 32.5% |
| 150k+ | 112 | 30.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 209 | 31.6% |
| 2022 | 140 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 103 | 34.0% |
| 2024 | 81 | 32.1% |
| 2025 | 49 | 28.6% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Terrano
On a 2006 Terrano, body, structure & corrosion is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Body, structure & corrosion (18.4% 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 (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.6% 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 2006 Nissan Terranos pass their MOT?
68.0% of the 582 2006 Nissan Terrano MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Nissan Terrano?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.3%).
Does the 2006 Terrano get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 35.2% in the 60-90k band to 30.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 582 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.