Used car guide

2003 Nissan Navara: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Nissan Navaras, from 246 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 246 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

246MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,400typical miles a year
6.2×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Nissan Navaras than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Chassis rust or damage6.2× usual
    Nissan Navara
    24.8% All 2003 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 1.2% of all 2003 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.

  • Wheel bearings4.1× usual
    Nissan Navara
    15.4% All 2003 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 1.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Braking performance2.6× usual
    Nissan Navara
    18.7% All 2003 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.4%, against 3% of all 2003 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.

  • Ball joint2.4× usual
    Nissan Navara
    15.4% All 2003 cars
    6.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.7% of all 2003 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.

By area

The share of 2003 Nissan Navara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    49% 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
    48% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    48% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Rust and bodywork
    30% 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
    22% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Nissan Navara?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022127Brakes 17%
20216,886Brakes 17%
20204,167Brakes 19%
20197,185Brakes 22%
20187,665Suspension 27%
20178,694Suspension 34%
20167,598Suspension 32%
20153,812Suspension 35%
20143,375Suspension 38%
20133,284Suspension 40%
20123,106Lights and electrics 42%
20113,541Suspension 44%
20101,698Suspension 42%
20091,531Lights and electrics 46%
20081,444Suspension 44%
20071,778Suspension 44%
20061,534Lights and electrics 45%
2005982Lights and electrics 47%
2004619Brakes 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Nissan Navaras registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score