2010 Nissan X Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 9,694 MOT tests analysed for the 2010 Nissan X Trail, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 70.1% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (74.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 33.6% in the 150k+ group versus 11.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.3% | 1,773 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.5% | 1,019 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 918 |
| 4 | Steering | 8.0% | 778 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 629 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.2% | 508 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 1,340 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 900 |
| 3 | Joints | 597 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 578 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 569 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 373 |
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 | 37.8% | 3,667 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.5% | 3,251 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 2,261 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.0% | 1,065 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 9.2% | 893 |
| 6 | Steering | 9.0% | 876 |
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 | 35 | 11.4% |
| 30-60k | 480 | 20.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,843 | 25.6% |
| 90-120k | 3,386 | 30.1% |
| 120-150k | 2,525 | 32.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,416 | 33.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 9,626 | 29.9% |
| Petrol | 68 | 20.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,042 | 27.4% |
| 2022 | 2,004 | 29.7% |
| 2023 | 1,959 | 30.1% |
| 2024 | 1,933 | 31.6% |
| 2025 | 1,756 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 2010 X Trail
Before buying a 2010 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.
- Brakes (10.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (9.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2010 Nissan X Trails pass their MOT?
70.1% of the 9,694 2010 Nissan X Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Nissan X Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 18.3% of tests, followed by brakes (10.5%).
Does the 2010 X Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.4% in the 0-30k band to 33.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,694 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.