Used car guide

2016 Nissan X-Trail: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2016 Nissan X-Trails, from 14,808 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,808MOT tests in 2025
69%pass first time (all 2016 cars: 75%)
8,700typical miles a year
5.6×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2016 Nissan X-Trails than on all cars registered in 2016.

  • Ball joint5.6× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    15.8% All 2016 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 1.5% of all 2016 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.

  • Brake pads2× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    20.7% All 2016 cars
    10.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2.1% of all 2016 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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.5× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    15.2% All 2016 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.1% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Track rod ends3.6× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    11.1% All 2016 cars
    3.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.5% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

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

  • Suspension arm8.3× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    5.8% All 2016 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Better than most

Coil springs: 0.3% here, against 4.1% of all 2016 cars. Shock absorbers: 0.7% here, against 4.3% of all 2016 cars.

By area

The share of 2016 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    42% 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
    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.

  • Tyres
    29% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    5% 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%
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%
2003832Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2016 Nissan X-Trails registered in 2016. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score