Used car guide

2004 Nissan Patrol: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Nissan Patrols, from 176 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 176 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

176MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
6,300typical miles a year
4.9×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

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

  • Wheel bearings4.9× usual
    Nissan Patrol
    18.8% All 2004 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.3% of all 2004 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.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    39% 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
    32% 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
    30% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% 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.

  • 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.

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

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005104Suspension 49%

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