Used car guide

2003 Nissan X-Trail: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Nissan X-Trails, from 832 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

832MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,200typical miles a year
3.2×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Nissan X-Trails than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Sub-frame3.2× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    18% All 2003 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Brake pads2.6× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    16.6% All 2003 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.3× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    15.1% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 3.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Exhaust system1.8× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    17.8% All 2003 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Ball joint2.2× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    13.8% All 2003 cars
    6.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, 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.

Better than most

Coil springs: 3.2% here, against 10.5% of all 2003 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.3% here, against 8.7% of all 2003 cars.

By area

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

  • Suspension
    59% 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
    46% 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
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    30% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    22% 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.

  • 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 X-Trail?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022539Tyres 17%
20212,312Brakes 28%
20204,749Brakes 25%
20195,667Brakes 26%
20188,905Tyres 28%
201717,100Suspension 34%
201614,808Suspension 42%
20158,178Suspension 49%
20143,809Suspension 55%
20131,576Suspension 54%
20121,644Suspension 57%
20111,966Suspension 60%
20101,291Suspension 64%
20091,712Suspension 64%
20082,581Suspension 65%
20072,967Suspension 63%
20063,212Suspension 66%
20052,397Suspension 62%
20041,479Suspension 60%

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