2012 Nissan X Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 11,107 MOT tests analysed for the 2012 Nissan X Trail, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 74.2% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (77.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.9% in the 150k+ group versus 7.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.5% | 1,725 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.3% | 1,036 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 519 |
| 4 | Steering | 4.4% | 487 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 466 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.7% | 408 |
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 | 1,584 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 563 |
| 3 | Joints | 523 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 400 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 330 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 323 |
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 | 32.9% | 3,653 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.4% | 3,270 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.2% | 2,464 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.1% | 902 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.5% | 835 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 560 |
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 | 110 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 1,315 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,620 | 23.0% |
| 90-120k | 3,526 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,826 | 31.6% |
| 150k+ | 708 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,055 | 25.8% |
| Petrol | 52 | 23.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,171 | 22.1% |
| 2022 | 2,185 | 24.1% |
| 2023 | 2,289 | 26.7% |
| 2024 | 2,234 | 27.2% |
| 2025 | 2,228 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 X Trail
Before buying a 2012 Nissan X Trail, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 15.5% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (15.5% 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.
- Brakes (9.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (4.7% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2012 Nissan X Trails pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 11,107 2012 Nissan X Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Nissan X Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by brakes (9.3%).
Does the 2012 X Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.3% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 11,107 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.