Used car guide

2005 Nissan Terrano: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Nissan Terranos, from 200 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 200 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

200MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
5,400typical miles a year
4.6×the usual rate for wheel bearings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Nissan Terranos than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Wheel bearings4.6× usual
    Nissan Terrano
    17% All 2005 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.4% of all 2005 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage4.4× usual
    Nissan Terrano
    16% All 2005 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1% of all 2005 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.

Better than most

Tread depth: 10% here, against 20.1% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Nissan Terrano MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    38% 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
    32% 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
    24% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Nissan Terrano?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2004308Suspension 51%
2003209Suspension 45%
2002154Lights and electrics 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Nissan Terranos registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score