2014 Nissan X-Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 24,284 MOT tests, the 2014 Nissan X-Trail recorded a 78.1% pass rate. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 18.1% of the time, so this is 3.8pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 12.3% of tests against 5.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, brake pads and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 2,649 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 29.3% once past 150k — 2.7× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 26.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.3% | 2,978 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.9% | 1,446 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 1,124 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.4% | 1,060 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.5% | 842 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.6% | 635 |
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 | 2,649 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 1,052 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 947 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 909 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 748 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 541 |
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 | 28.9% | 7,028 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.3% | 6,627 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 5,977 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.3% | 2,497 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.5% | 1,587 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 954 |
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 | 337 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 4,984 | 14.7% |
| 60-90k | 10,154 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 6,245 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,957 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 604 | 29.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 24,219 | 21.9% |
| Petrol | 64 | 12.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,593 | 16.4% |
| 2022 | 4,775 | 19.5% |
| 2023 | 4,898 | 21.9% |
| 2024 | 5,007 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 5,011 | 26.1% |
What to check before buying a 2014 X-Trail
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 12.3% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (12.3% 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 (5.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2014 Nissan X-Trails pass their MOT?
78.1% of the 24,284 2014 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Nissan X-Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by brakes (5.9%).
Does the 2014 X-Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.0% in the 0-30k band to 29.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,284 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.