Used car guide · 2001–2026

Nissan X-Trail common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Nissan X-Trail, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 88,199 MOTs done during 2025), and what to check before you buy one.

88,199MOTs done in 2025, all years of this model
121,901on the UK register
4known faults across all years
2022best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001

What usually goes wrong with a Nissan X-Trail?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Tailgate struts and engine software recalls

    Cars registered 2014–2021 · All engines

    About 4,400 cars were recalled because the tailgate struts could corrode and the tailgate drop, and over 7,300 for an engine software update.

    At the viewing: Check the tailgate stays up, and ask a Nissan dealer to confirm the recalls.

    Source: Haynes: Nissan X-Trail Mk3 common problems (2014-2021)

  • Hard starting (2.0 dCi)

    Cars registered 2014–2021 · 2.0 dCi diesel

    A camshaft problem on the 2.0 diesel can make it hard to start, with the engine light on.

    At the viewing: Start it from cold and make sure there are no warning lights.

    Source: Haynes: Nissan X-Trail Mk3 common problems (2014-2021)

  • Air con control unit failure

    Cars registered 2014–2021 · All engines

    The air con control unit can fail.

    At the viewing: Make sure it blows properly cold.

    Source: Haynes: Nissan X-Trail Mk3 common problems (2014-2021)

  • ABS and ESP warning lights

    Cars registered 2014–2021 · All engines

    A loose earth cable on the engine mount can bring on the ABS and ESP lights. Tightening or replacing it fixes it.

    At the viewing: Make sure the ABS and ESP lights go out.

    Source: Haynes: Nissan X-Trail Mk3 common problems (2014-2021)

Common Nissan X-Trail MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2025.

  • Ball joint

    up to 5.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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 ends

    up to 4.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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

    up to 16.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011.

    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.

Nissan X-Trail MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2022 Nissan X-Trail did best (93% passed first time, 4 points above all 2022 cars) and the 2015 did worst (65%, 7 points below all 2015 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202396%92% +4214 (small sample)
202293%89% +4539
202187%87% +02,312
202086%86% +04,749
201983%84% -15,667
201881%81% +08,905
201775%78% -317,100
201669%75% -614,808
201565%72% -78,178
201463%69% -63,809
201363%66% -31,576
201258%63% -51,644
201156%61% -51,966
201053%59% -61,291
200955%58% -31,712
200852%57% -52,581
200751%57% -62,967
200651%57% -63,212
200555%58% -32,397
200453%58% -51,479
200353%59% -6832
200255%60% -5261 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Nissan X-Trail

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Have the tailgate strut and engine software recalls been done?
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 5.6× as often on the Nissan X-Trail as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the Nissan X-Trail as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the Nissan X-Trail as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Nissan X-Trail?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score