2004 Nissan X Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 19,010 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Nissan X Trail, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.7% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (71.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.7% in the 150k+ group versus 19.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.6% | 3,542 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 2,623 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 2,342 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 1,889 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 1,075 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.6% | 1,071 |
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 | 2,031 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 1,534 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,235 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 1,105 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 1,045 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 947 |
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 | 42.6% | 8,093 |
| 2 | Brakes | 41.0% | 7,789 |
| 3 | Tyres | 26.0% | 4,935 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.4% | 4,453 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 22.7% | 4,318 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 3,590 |
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 | 68 | 19.1% |
| 30-60k | 568 | 20.3% |
| 60-90k | 2,358 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 5,325 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 5,902 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 4,745 | 35.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 13,674 | 32.6% |
| Petrol | 5,333 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,003 | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 4,773 | 31.2% |
| 2023 | 3,642 | 31.5% |
| 2024 | 2,682 | 31.9% |
| 2025 | 1,910 | 31.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 X Trail
Before buying a 2004 Nissan X Trail, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 18.6% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (18.6% 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 (13.8% 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 2004 Nissan X Trails pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 19,010 2004 Nissan X Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Nissan X Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.8%).
Does the 2004 X Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.1% in the 0-30k band to 35.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 19,010 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.