Nissan Xterra Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan Xterra car check
Is the Nissan Xterra reliable? We analysed 393 real MOT tests across 102 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan Xterra? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan Xterra is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, position lamp(s) not working and side repeater missing. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Xterra.
Nissan Xterra Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan Xterra. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan Xterra MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan Xterra to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan Xterra Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan Xterra fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan Xterra Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan Xterra owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan Xterra MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan Xterra year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 68 | 79.4% | 53,802 | 84,920 | 102,466 |
| 2002 | 55 | 72.7% | 64,790 | 83,642 | 111,244 |
How Long Does a Nissan Xterra Last?
Based on 102 Nissan Xterra vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan Xterra Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan Xterra 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 Xterra
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.4% MOT pass rate from 68 tests
72.7% MOT pass rate from 55 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan Xterra is 2003, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.4% across 68 tests. The 2002 model year has the lowest pass rate at 72.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan Xterra Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Xterra THIS CAR | 76.6% | 393 | 80,031 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 |
| Austin Saloon | 89% | 454 | 21,040 mi | 93 yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Xterra sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan Xterra 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 XterraShould you buy a used Nissan Xterra?
The Nissan Xterra has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.6% across 393 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Nissan Xterra are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (14 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (8), and side repeater missing (6). 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 Xterra owner drives around 8,615 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 Xterra 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.