Used car guide

2004 Nissan Pickup: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Nissan Pickups, from 282 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 282 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

282MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
5,500typical miles a year
5.1×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

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

  • Chassis rust or damage5.1× usual
    Nissan Pickup
    20.2% All 2004 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, 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.

  • Wheel bearings5.1× usual
    Nissan Pickup
    19.5% All 2004 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, 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.

  • Ball joint2.2× usual
    Nissan Pickup
    14.2% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, 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.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 7.4% here, against 15% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Nissan Pickup 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    24% 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
    23% 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
    16% 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 Pickup?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005119Brakes 54%
2003164Brakes 49%
2002101Suspension 47%

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