Nissan X-Trail common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Nissan X-Trail at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 94,573 UK MOT tests of the Nissan X-Trail in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement): recorded on 9.1% of tests of 2004–2006 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 11× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (10×); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn) (7.7×); ball joint (ball joint has slight play) (6.2×). The most common reasons a Nissan X-Trail fails its MOT are ball joint (ball joint excessively worn); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); track rod end (ball joint has excessive play).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Nissan X-Trail
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Nissan X-Trail than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2004–2006 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 9.1% | 0.8% | 11× | 1,590 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 6.1% | 0.6% | 10× | 1,547 |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | MOT fail | 2015–2017 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 9.2% | 1.2% | 7.7× | 5,095 |
| Ball joint: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 7.4% | 1.2% | 6.2× | 4,365 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | MOT fail | 2008–2010 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 16% | 2.5% | 6.2× | 1,423 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | Advisory | 2018–2020 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 8% | 1.6% | 5× | 3,814 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 11% | 1.6% | 6.6× | 505 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 18% | 3.8% | 4.7× | 783 |
Nissan X-Trail by mileage (2016–2018 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 1,192 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (11%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (4.1%, 5.1×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 9,441 | Brake pads: wearing thin (20%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (6%, 4×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 15,798 | Brake pads: wearing thin (18%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (8.5%, 3.9×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 9,677 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn (4.2%, 6×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3,443 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn (6.3%, 7×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 999 | Brake pads: wearing thin (21%) | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn (7.1%, 7.1×) |
Nissan X-Trail by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 489 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4.8×) |
| 2003 | 1,536 | Track rod end: ball joint has slight play at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.1×) |
| 2004 | 2,738 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (7.1×) |
| 2005 | 4,247 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (11×) |
| 2006 | 5,027 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (6.7×) |
| 2007 | 4,345 | Track rod end: ball joint has slight play at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (6.4×) |
| 2008 | 3,303 | Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (5.9×) |
| 2009 | 2,059 | Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (6.5×) |
| 2010 | 1,410 | Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (6.5×) |
| 2011 | 2,111 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (7.6×) |
| 2012 | 1,708 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (6.2×) |
| 2013 | 1,593 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (7×) |
| 2014 | 3,883 | Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (10×) |
| 2015 | 8,277 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (8.8×) |
| 2016 | 14,957 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (8.3×) |
| 2017 | 17,079 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (7.1×) |
| 2018 | 8,959 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (5.5×) |
| 2019 | 5,703 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (6.4×) |
| 2020 | 4,945 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (5.5×) |
| 2021 | 135 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (5.4×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Nissan X-Trail?
In 94,573 UK MOT tests of the Nissan X-Trail in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement): recorded on 9.1% of tests of 2004–2006 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 11× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (10×); ball joint (ball joint excessively worn) (7.7×); ball joint (ball joint has slight play) (6.2×). The most common reasons a Nissan X-Trail fails its MOT are ball joint (ball joint excessively worn); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick); track rod end (ball joint has excessive play).
Why do Nissan X-Trails fail the MOT?
Across 94,573 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Nissan X-Trail were ball joint (ball joint excessively worn) (8.7% of tests); brake pads (less than 1.5 mm thick) (5% of tests); track rod end (ball joint has excessive play) (11% of tests).
At what mileage do Nissan X-Trail problems start?
The clearest Nissan X-Trail-specific issue, pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement), peaks against other cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) on 2004–2006 cars (9.1% of tests vs 0.8% for all cars that age).
Where does this Nissan X-Trail data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 94,573 tests of the Nissan X-Trail. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.