2020 Nissan X-Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
16,146 MOT tests on the 2020 Nissan X-Trail are in this dataset, and 90.7% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.7%, so the 2020 X-Trail sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in brakes, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (3.9%) and tyres (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, wipers and malfunction indicator lamp — brake pads alone was recorded 699 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 13.6% versus 7.2%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.6pp more often than petrol ones (10.0% vs 8.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 21.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.8% of tests failed in 2022 against 10.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 3.9% | 622 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.5% | 409 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.4% | 382 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.0% | 330 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.0% | 324 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 129 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 699 |
| 2 | Wipers | 401 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 321 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 262 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 189 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 82 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 21.4% | 3,459 |
| 2 | Tyres | 17.5% | 2,833 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.5% | 1,211 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.5% | 890 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.3% | 529 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 92 |
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 | 7,767 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 7,179 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,053 | 14.2% |
| 90-120k | 125 | 13.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,418 | 10.0% |
| Petrol | 6,724 | 8.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 366 | 6.8% |
| 2023 | 5,376 | 8.6% |
| 2024 | 5,151 | 9.1% |
| 2025 | 5,227 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 2020 X-Trail
On a 2020 X-Trail, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (3.9% 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.
- Tyres (2.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.4% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2020 Nissan X-Trails pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 16,146 2020 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Nissan X-Trail?
Brakes, recorded in 3.9% of tests, followed by tyres (2.5%).
Does the 2020 X-Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 0-30k band to 13.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,146 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.