2013 Nissan X-Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,208 MOT tests, the 2013 Nissan X-Trail recorded a 76.6% pass rate. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (20.3% fail rate), the 2013 X-Trail comes out 3.0pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and steering.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 13.5% of all tests — 4.9 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, track rod end and brake pads — ball joint alone was recorded 1,334 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 29.6% versus 8.4%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 18.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 13.5% | 1,381 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.6% | 880 |
| 3 | Steering | 3.9% | 395 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 345 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.3% | 336 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.2% | 331 |
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 | 1,334 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 465 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 336 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 271 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 251 |
| 6 | Parking brake performance | 222 |
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 | 31.2% | 3,182 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.6% | 2,919 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.3% | 2,169 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.5% | 766 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.2% | 636 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.1% | 422 |
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 | 202 | 8.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,914 | 15.4% |
| 60-90k | 3,709 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 2,872 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 1,111 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 399 | 29.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 10,092 | 23.5% |
| Petrol | 116 | 16.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,940 | 18.7% |
| 2022 | 2,014 | 21.6% |
| 2023 | 2,062 | 23.8% |
| 2024 | 2,105 | 26.4% |
| 2025 | 2,087 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2013 X-Trail
On a 2013 X-Trail, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (13.5% 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 (8.6% 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.
- Steering (3.9% of tests): Play, leaks or worn track rod ends — affects handling and is a safety item. Typical repair: £150–£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 2013 Nissan X-Trails pass their MOT?
76.6% of the 10,208 2013 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Nissan X-Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by brakes (8.6%).
Does the 2013 X-Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 0-30k band to 29.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,208 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.