2003 Nissan X Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,810 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Nissan X Trail, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.1% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (71.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 36.9% in the 150k+ group versus 15.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.3% | 1,979 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 1,540 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 1,329 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.2% | 1,211 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.2% | 783 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.0% | 654 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 955 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 954 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 845 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 621 |
| 5 | Joints | 588 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 579 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 43.1% | 4,659 |
| 2 | Brakes | 41.0% | 4,428 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.2% | 2,827 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.5% | 2,752 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 2,079 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 18.5% | 1,998 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 45 | 15.6% |
| 30-60k | 452 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,689 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,986 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 3,097 | 34.0% |
| 150k+ | 2,529 | 36.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 5,964 | 34.2% |
| Petrol | 4,846 | 29.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,542 | 32.7% |
| 2022 | 2,680 | 32.0% |
| 2023 | 1,994 | 30.4% |
| 2024 | 1,507 | 32.1% |
| 2025 | 1,087 | 31.1% |
What to check before buying a 2003 X Trail
Before buying a 2003 Nissan X Trail, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 18.3% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (18.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2003 Nissan X Trails pass their MOT?
68.1% of the 10,810 2003 Nissan X Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan X Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (14.2%).
Does the 2003 X Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 0-30k band to 36.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,810 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.