2006 Nissan X Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 34,347 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Nissan X Trail, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 67.8% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (72.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.3% in the 150k+ group versus 20.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 19.5% | 6,696 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 4,633 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.2% | 4,517 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.0% | 3,764 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.2% | 2,138 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 1,858 |
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 | 3,662 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 2,193 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 2,017 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,845 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 1,814 |
| 6 | Joints | 1,732 |
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% | 15,175 |
| 2 | Brakes | 41.7% | 14,327 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.7% | 9,164 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.6% | 7,757 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 20.7% | 7,110 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 5,629 |
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 | 10,403 | 31.3% |
| 120-150k | 11,465 | 33.6% |
| 150k+ | 7,029 | 36.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 28,702 | 32.9% |
| Petrol | 5,645 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,532 | 32.3% |
| 2022 | 8,210 | 31.6% |
| 2023 | 6,851 | 32.1% |
| 2024 | 5,475 | 32.5% |
| 2025 | 4,279 | 32.9% |
What to check before buying a 2006 X Trail
Before buying a 2006 Nissan X Trail, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 19.5% of tests for this year.
- 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 34,347 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 34,347 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.