2001 Nissan X-Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
493 MOT tests on the 2001 Nissan X-Trail are in this dataset, and 69.2% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 28.1% of the time, so this is 2.7pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (14.8%) and lighting & signalling (14.4%) 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, ball joint and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 44 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 26.7% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 36.7% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 40.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.4% in 2021 to 28.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.8% | 73 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 71 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.4% | 56 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 48 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 43 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.7% | 33 |
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 | 44 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 34 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 33 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 29 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 29 |
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% | 197 |
| 2 | Suspension | 37.1% | 183 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 26.8% | 132 |
| 4 | Tyres | 26.4% | 130 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.1% | 124 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 17.4% | 86 |
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 | 30 | 26.7% |
| 60-90k | 76 | 22.4% |
| 90-120k | 155 | 30.3% |
| 120-150k | 142 | 33.1% |
| 150k+ | 90 | 36.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 354 | 30.5% |
| Diesel | 139 | 31.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 171 | 30.4% |
| 2022 | 120 | 35.0% |
| 2023 | 88 | 30.7% |
| 2024 | 68 | 26.5% |
| 2025 | 46 | 28.3% |
What to check before buying a 2001 X-Trail
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 14.8% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (14.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (14.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2001 Nissan X-Trails pass their MOT?
69.2% of the 493 2001 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Nissan X-Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.4%).
Does the 2001 X-Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.7% in the 30-60k band to 36.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 493 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.