2011 Nissan X Trail — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 14,127 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Nissan X Trail, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, brakes and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 71.5% was below the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (76.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.9% in the 150k+ group versus 12.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 17.2% | 2,427 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.4% | 1,474 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 905 |
| 4 | Steering | 6.2% | 880 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.7% | 806 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.2% | 595 |
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 | 2,104 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 1,032 |
| 3 | Joints | 900 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 683 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 472 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 469 |
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 | 33.6% | 4,739 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.0% | 4,375 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.1% | 3,257 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.0% | 1,418 |
| 5 | Steering | 8.7% | 1,227 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 7.6% | 1,075 |
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 | 110 | 12.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,034 | 16.9% |
| 60-90k | 3,419 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 4,830 | 30.5% |
| 120-150k | 3,119 | 32.1% |
| 150k+ | 1,615 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 14,046 | 28.5% |
| Petrol | 81 | 23.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,891 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 2,854 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 2,870 | 28.7% |
| 2024 | 2,833 | 30.4% |
| 2025 | 2,679 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2011 X Trail
Before buying a 2011 Nissan X Trail, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 17.2% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (17.2% 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 (10.4% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (6.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2011 Nissan X Trails pass their MOT?
71.5% of the 14,127 2011 Nissan X Trail MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Nissan X Trail?
Suspension, recorded in 17.2% of tests, followed by brakes (10.4%).
Does the 2011 X Trail get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.7% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,127 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.