Used car guide

2021 Nissan X-Trail: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Nissan X-Trails, from 2,312 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,312MOT tests in 2025
87%pass first time (all 2021 cars: 87%)
8,200typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2021 Nissan X-Trails than on all cars registered in 2021.

  • Brake pads3.3× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    22.4% All 2021 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 1.2% of all 2021 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.

  • Brake discs1.8× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    12.5% All 2021 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints4.5× usual
    Nissan X-Trail
    5% All 2021 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.2% of all 2021 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.

By area

The share of 2021 Nissan X-Trail MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    28% 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
    23% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Suspension
    7% 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.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    5% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022539Tyres 17%
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%
2003832Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Nissan X-Trails registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score