2003 Nissan X-Trail petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Nissan X-Trail petrol?

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

• Sub-frame3.2× usual
  Nissan X-Trail

  14.9% All 2003 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
  Nissan X-Trail

  14.2% All 2003 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Brake pads2.1× usual
  Nissan X-Trail

  14% All 2003 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.7% 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.

• Ball joint2.1× usual
  Nissan X-Trail

  13.2% All 2003 cars

  6.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 2.9% 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.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints4.4× usual
  Nissan X-Trail

  7.4% All 2003 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 0.4% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 2003 Nissan X-Trail petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  52% 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
  43% 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
  35% 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
  27% 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
  19% 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 an engine warning light.

• Driveshafts and joints
  14% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Nissan X-Trail petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2003 Nissan X-Trail petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2003 Nissan X-Trail petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2003 Nissan X-Trail petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?