Nissan X Trail Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan X Trail car check
Is the Nissan X Trail reliable? We analysed 2,335 real MOT tests across 147 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan X Trail? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan X Trail is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, track rod end ball joint has excessive play and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan X Trail.
Nissan X Trail Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan X Trail. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan X Trail MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan X Trail to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan X Trail Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan X Trail fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan X Trail Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan X Trail owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan X Trail MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan X Trail year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 57 | 78.9% | 45,859 | 66,880 | 94,072 |
| 2011 | 100 | 71.0% | 59,919 | 85,709 | 104,436 |
| 2010 | 51 | 76.5% | 68,120 | 87,631 | 113,851 |
| 2009 | 96 | 74.0% | 62,926 | 98,522 | 126,968 |
| 2008 | 378 | 73.0% | 55,761 | 83,680 | 115,641 |
| 2007 | 323 | 72.8% | 40,483 | 70,266 | 109,299 |
| 2006 | 170 | 70.0% | 45,996 | 72,263 | 108,707 |
| 2005 | 282 | 73.4% | 66,960 | 102,770 | 129,234 |
| 2004 | 321 | 74.1% | 50,727 | 75,819 | 102,808 |
| 2003 | 271 | 68.6% | 64,524 | 94,984 | 134,755 |
| 2002 | 146 | 76.0% | 49,836 | 74,713 | 100,467 |
How Long Does a Nissan X Trail Last?
Based on 147 Nissan X Trail vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan X Trail Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan X Trail MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Nissan X Trail
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
78.9% MOT pass rate from 57 tests
68.6% MOT pass rate from 271 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan X Trail is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.9% across 57 tests. The 2003 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan X Trail Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan X Trail THIS CAR | 72.3% | 2,335 | 85,587 mi | 24 yrs |
| Nissan Micra | 71.4% | 10,566,512 | 55,214 mi | 37 yrs |
| Nissan Qashqai | 77.3% | 6,506,323 | 59,398 mi | 19 yrs |
| Nissan Juke | 79.3% | 3,002,435 | 49,593 mi | 16 yrs |
| Mercedes-benz S500 L AMG Ln Prm+exc MHEV4M A | 90.1% | 738 | 30,921 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan X Trail sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan X Trail you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Nissan X TrailShould you buy a used Nissan X Trail?
The Nissan X Trail has an overall MOT pass rate of 72.3% across 2,335 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Nissan X Trail are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (60 recorded failures), track rod end ball joint has excessive play (43), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (39). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Nissan X Trail owner drives around 6,740 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Nissan X Trail models stay on UK roads for around 24 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.