Used car guide

2002 Nissan Terrano: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Nissan Terranos, from 154 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 154 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

154MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)
4,600typical miles a year
6×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Nissan Terranos than on all cars registered in 2002.

  • Wheel bearings6× usual
    Nissan Terrano
    24% All 2002 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.1% of all 2002 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 2002 Nissan Terrano 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
    49% 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
    42% 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
    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
    24% 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
    18% 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.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2005200Suspension 44%
2004308Suspension 51%
2003209Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Nissan Terranos registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score