2009 Nissan X Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 13,609 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Nissan X Trail, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.5% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (73.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.9% in the 150k+ group versus 8.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.2% | 2,337 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 1,639 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.4% | 1,419 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.6% | 1,300 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.4% | 739 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 652 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 1,533 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 1,517 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 987 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 812 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 671 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 545 |
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 | 39.3% | 5,350 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.7% | 4,453 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.2% | 3,424 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 1,743 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.1% | 1,514 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.5% | 1,295 |
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 | 73 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 669 | 17.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,490 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 4,701 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 3,645 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 2,025 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 13,357 | 29.6% |
| Petrol | 245 | 28.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,953 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 2,964 | 29.1% |
| 2023 | 2,780 | 29.7% |
| 2024 | 2,625 | 31.8% |
| 2025 | 2,287 | 29.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 X Trail
Before buying a 2009 Nissan X Trail, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 17.2% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (17.2% 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 (12.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.4% 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 2009 Nissan X Trails pass their MOT?
70.5% of the 13,609 2009 Nissan X Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Nissan X Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (12.0%).
Does the 2009 X Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 13,609 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.