Used car guide

2004 Nissan D22: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Nissan D22s, from 202 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 202 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

202MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,900typical miles a year
5×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Nissan D22s than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Chassis rust or damage5× usual
    Nissan D22
    19.8% All 2004 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Ball joint2.7× usual
    Nissan D22
    17.8% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Braking performance2.2× usual
    Nissan D22
    15.3% All 2004 cars
    6.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.9%, against 2.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

By area

The share of 2004 Nissan D22 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    50% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    47% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    45% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Rust and bodywork
    25% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Tyres
    20% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    17% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Nissan D22?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2003115Brakes 54%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Nissan D22s registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score