2007 Nissan X-Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
28,996 MOT tests on the 2007 Nissan X-Trail are in this dataset, and 68.7% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (27.4% fail rate), the 2007 X-Trail comes out 3.9pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 18.4% of tests against 12.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, track rod end and position lamp — ball joint alone was recorded 3,232 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 34.3% versus 10.1%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.6% fail against 31.6% for diesel, a 5.0-point gap across 28,996 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 41.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.4% | 5,348 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 3,714 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.1% | 3,506 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 2,479 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.2% | 2,370 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 1,551 |
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 | 3,232 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 2,621 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 1,821 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 1,583 |
| 5 | Joints | 1,496 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 1,446 |
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 | 41.9% | 12,136 |
| 2 | Brakes | 38.9% | 11,287 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.7% | 7,747 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 4,540 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 4,187 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.3% | 4,161 |
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 | 129 | 10.1% |
| 30-60k | 905 | 16.6% |
| 60-90k | 3,897 | 26.4% |
| 90-120k | 9,142 | 31.1% |
| 120-150k | 9,391 | 33.5% |
| 150k+ | 5,516 | 34.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 27,048 | 31.6% |
| Petrol | 1,948 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,375 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 6,769 | 31.5% |
| 2023 | 5,908 | 31.2% |
| 2024 | 4,928 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 4,016 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2007 X-Trail
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 18.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (18.4% 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 (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.1% 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 2007 Nissan X-Trails pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 28,996 2007 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Nissan X-Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.8%).
Does the 2007 X-Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.1% in the 0-30k band to 34.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 28,996 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.