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 272,506 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2024 Nissan X-Trail

Cars registered in 2024 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Nissan X-Trail as a whole.

11,168on the UK register at the end of 2025
2027first MOT due
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol hybrid)
What to check on a 2024 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

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, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Brake pads

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 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 bushes and joints

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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 joints

    up to 8.5× usual

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

    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.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 4.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    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) joints

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2007.

    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.

Diesel

  • Ball joint

    up to 6.6× usual

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

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 5.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 4.1× usual

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

    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.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 14× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2008, 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.

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 (94% passed first time, 5 points above all 2022 cars) and the 2010 did worst (53%, 7 points below all 2010 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% +4209 (small sample)
202294%89% +5543
202187%87% +04,734
202087%87% +014,342
201984%85% -116,862
201883%83% +026,490
201778%80% -250,856
201673%77% -444,337
201568%74% -624,430
201465%70% -511,440
201364%67% -34,718
201260%64% -44,951
201156%62% -66,092
201053%60% -74,071
200953%59% -65,644
200851%57% -68,773
200752%57% -510,892
200651%56% -512,265
200553%57% -49,832
200452%57% -56,277
200354%57% -33,503
200255%58% -31,101
200154%60% -6144 (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 6.4× 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 5× as often on the Nissan X-Trail as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.9× 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 2023–2025, 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