2005 Nissan X-Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 29,040 MOT tests, the 2005 Nissan X-Trail recorded a 69.0% pass rate. That is 3.1 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 27.9%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 18.3% of tests against 13.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, component mounting prescribed areas and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 2,613 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.9% versus 21.0%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 28.1% fail against 31.9% for diesel, a 3.8-point gap across 29,040 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 43.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.3% | 5,327 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 3,900 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.2% | 3,532 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 3,022 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.9% | 1,718 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 1,579 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 2,613 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,931 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 1,729 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,637 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,591 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 1,479 |
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 | 43.6% | 12,672 |
| 2 | Brakes | 40.9% | 11,888 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.9% | 7,822 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 23.4% | 6,808 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 6,363 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 5,362 |
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 | 81 | 21.0% |
| 30-60k | 801 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,406 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 7,997 | 29.5% |
| 120-150k | 9,290 | 32.3% |
| 150k+ | 7,428 | 34.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 22,565 | 31.9% |
| Petrol | 6,475 | 28.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,794 | 31.0% |
| 2022 | 7,189 | 31.0% |
| 2023 | 5,673 | 31.2% |
| 2024 | 4,271 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 3,113 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2005 X-Trail
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 18.3% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (18.3% 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 (13.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.2% 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 2005 Nissan X-Trails pass their MOT?
69.0% of the 29,040 2005 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Nissan X-Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.4%).
Does the 2005 X-Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.0% in the 0-30k band to 34.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 29,040 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.