Used car guide

2018 Nissan X-Trail: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Nissan X-Trails, from 8,905 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,905MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
8,400typical miles a year
4.7×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Nissan X-Trails than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints4.7× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    15% All 2018 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.5% of all 2018 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.

  • Brake pads1.8× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    20.1% All 2018 cars
    11%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.1% of all 2018 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.

  • Ball joint3.7× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    4.8% All 2018 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.9× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    2.3% All 2018 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2018 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.

  • Track rod ends1.9× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    3.2% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.8% of all 2018 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.

By area

The share of 2018 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Brakes
    27% 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.

  • Suspension
    25% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    5% 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
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022539Tyres 17%
20212,312Brakes 28%
20204,749Brakes 25%
20195,667Brakes 26%
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%
2003832Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Nissan X-Trails registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score