2004 Nissan X-Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Nissan X-Trail passed 68.7% of its 19,021 recorded MOT tests. That is 3.2 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 28.1%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 18.6% of all tests — 4.8 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, ball joint and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 2,031 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.1% in the 0-30k band and 35.7% in the 150k+ band, a 16.6-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.6pp more often than petrol ones (32.6% vs 28.0%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 42.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.6% | 3,543 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 2,624 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 2,343 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 1,890 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 1,075 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.6% | 1,071 |
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 | 2,031 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 1,536 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,235 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 1,105 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 1,045 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 947 |
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 | 42.6% | 8,097 |
| 2 | Brakes | 40.9% | 7,789 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.0% | 4,939 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.4% | 4,454 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 22.7% | 4,320 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 3,592 |
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 | 68 | 19.1% |
| 30-60k | 568 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,361 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 5,327 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 5,907 | 32.7% |
| 150k+ | 4,746 | 35.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 13,684 | 32.6% |
| Petrol | 5,334 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,006 | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 4,777 | 31.2% |
| 2023 | 3,643 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 2,684 | 31.9% |
| 2025 | 1,911 | 31.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 X-Trail
On a 2004 X-Trail, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% 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 2004 Nissan X-Trails pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 19,021 2004 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Nissan X-Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.8%).
Does the 2004 X-Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.1% in the 0-30k band to 35.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,021 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.