2018 Nissan X-Trail: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Nissan X-Trail?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Nissan X-Trail 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.

Common 2018 Nissan X-Trail MOT failures and advisories

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.

Known faults on the 2018 Nissan X-Trail

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Tailgate struts and engine software recalls

  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)

  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

  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

  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)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the 2018 Nissan X-Trail as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2018 Nissan X-Trail as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2018 Nissan X-Trail as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?