2006 Nissan X-Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 34,365 MOT tests, the 2006 Nissan X-Trail recorded a 67.8% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 4.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 19.5% of all tests — 6.0 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, track rod end and position lamp — ball joint alone was recorded 3,663 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 36.3% versus 20.6%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 4.4pp more often than petrol ones (32.9% vs 28.5%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 44.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.5% | 6,701 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 4,638 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.2% | 4,523 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 3,766 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.2% | 2,140 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 1,859 |
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 | 3,663 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 2,195 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 2,020 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,852 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 1,816 |
| 6 | Joints | 1,734 |
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 | 44.2% | 15,180 |
| 2 | Brakes | 41.7% | 14,331 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.7% | 9,167 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.6% | 7,762 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 20.7% | 7,112 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 5,632 |
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 | 102 | 20.6% |
| 30-60k | 972 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 4,356 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 10,405 | 31.3% |
| 120-150k | 11,475 | 33.6% |
| 150k+ | 7,035 | 36.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 28,720 | 32.9% |
| Petrol | 5,645 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,541 | 32.3% |
| 2022 | 8,216 | 31.6% |
| 2023 | 6,854 | 32.1% |
| 2024 | 5,475 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 4,279 | 32.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 X-Trail
On a 2006 X-Trail, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (19.5% 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 (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.2% 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 2006 Nissan X-Trails pass their MOT?
67.8% of the 34,365 2006 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Nissan X-Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 19.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.5%).
Does the 2006 X-Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 0-30k band to 36.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 34,365 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.