2002 Nissan X-Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
3,485 MOT tests on the 2002 Nissan X-Trail are in this dataset, and 69.6% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (28.2% fail rate), the 2002 X-Trail comes out 2.2pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.9%) and lighting & signalling (14.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 268 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 19.7% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 35.7% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.4pp more often than petrol ones (32.8% vs 29.4%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 41.8% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.1% in 2021 to 29.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.9% | 555 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 497 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.1% | 387 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.6% | 370 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 256 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.4% | 222 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 268 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 266 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 247 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 227 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 191 |
| 6 | Joints | 182 |
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 | 41.8% | 1,456 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.2% | 1,331 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.8% | 830 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.1% | 804 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 20.6% | 717 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 15.8% | 552 |
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 | 213 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 624 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,048 | 31.2% |
| 120-150k | 933 | 32.4% |
| 150k+ | 638 | 35.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,384 | 29.4% |
| Diesel | 1,101 | 32.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,181 | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 864 | 30.0% |
| 2023 | 633 | 30.0% |
| 2024 | 465 | 31.2% |
| 2025 | 342 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 2002 X-Trail
On a 2002 X-Trail, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.9% 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 (14.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.1% 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 2002 Nissan X-Trails pass their MOT?
69.6% of the 3,485 2002 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Nissan X-Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.3%).
Does the 2002 X-Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.7% in the 30-60k band to 35.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,485 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.