At a Glance
The Nissan X-trail has 29 identified common problems across 4 generations, with the T30 (2001-2007) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.2M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Nissan X-trail common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Nissan X-trail generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Most Common Nissan X-trail MOT Failures
Every reason Nissan X-trail vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 16.13% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.79% |
| 3 | Brake pads or linings worn | 7.41% |
| 4 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 6.10% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.57% |
| 6 | Front lamp not working | 4.06% |
| 7 | Tyre condition | 4.02% |
| 8 | Exhaust system fault | 3.70% |
| 9 | Track rod end worn | 3.57% |
| 10 | Brake performance below minimum | 3.18% |
| 11 | Driveshaft fault | 2.99% |
| 12 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.81% |
| 13 | Position lamp not working | 2.65% |
| 14 | Stop lamp not working | 2.33% |
| 15 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.27% |
| 16 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 1.92% |
| 17 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.66% |
| 18 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 1.60% |
| 19 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.57% |
| 20 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.19% |
| 21 | Headlamp fault | 1.17% |
| 22 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.14% |
| 23 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.01% |
| 24 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.00% |
| 25 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.92% |
| 26 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.89% |
| 27 | Headlamp aim defect | 0.66% |
| 28 | Parking brake condition | 0.51% |
| 29 | Airbag warning light on | 0.51% |
| 30 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.51% |
| 31 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.51% |
| 32 | Front suspension fault | 0.49% |
| 33 | Seat belt condition | 0.48% |
| 34 | Indicator fault | 0.34% |
| 35 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.34% |
| 36 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.34% |
| 37 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.33% |
| 38 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.32% |
| 39 | Fog lamp not working | 0.29% |
| 40 | ABS fault | 0.29% |
| 41 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.29% |
| 42 | Rear suspension fault | 0.29% |
| 43 | Brake lever fault | 0.26% |
| 44 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.24% |
| 45 | Chassis condition | 0.24% |
| 46 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.23% |
| 47 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.22% |
| 48 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.21% |
| 49 | Horn not working | 0.19% |
| 50 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.18% |
| 51 | Engine oil leak | 0.17% |
| 52 | Steering rack fault | 0.15% |
| 53 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.14% |
| 54 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.14% |
| 55 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.14% |
| 56 | Propshaft fault | 0.13% |
| 57 | Rear lamp not working | 0.12% |
| 58 | Brake fluid leak | 0.12% |
| 59 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.11% |
| 60 | Brake caliper fault | 0.11% |
| 61 | Brake pedal fault | 0.09% |
| 62 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.09% |
| 63 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.08% |
| 64 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.08% |
| 65 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.07% |
| 66 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.06% |
| 67 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.06% |
| 68 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.06% |
| 69 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 70 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.05% |
| 71 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 72 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 73 | Front passenger door fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.05% |
| 75 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 76 | Electrical switch fault | 0.04% |
| 77 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 79 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.03% |
| 81 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 82 | Steering lock fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.03% |
| 84 | Towbar fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Headlamp washer not working | 0.02% |
| 86 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 88 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.02% |
| 89 | Drag link end worn | 0.02% |
| 90 | Electronic parking brake fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 92 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 93 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 94 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 95 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 97 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Front fog lamp not working | 0.01% |
| 99 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 100 | Steering free play excessive | 0.01% |
| 101 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.01% |
| 102 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 103 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 106 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 109 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 110 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Suspension unit fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 113 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 115 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 117 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 118 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 120 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 124 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 125 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 127 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 128 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 129 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 130 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 131 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 134 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 136 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 137 | Power steering pump fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 144 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 148 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 151 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 156 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 157 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 159 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 162 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 164 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 170 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 172 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 174 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 176 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 182 | Chain drive fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 184 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 186 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 187 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
Showing all 187 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Nissan X-trail MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Nissan X-trail, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Nissan X-trail problems?
Based on analysis of 1.2M Nissan X-trail MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 29 identified common problems across 4 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Track rod end worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Nissan X-trail generation has the most problems?
The Nissan X-trail T30 (2001-2007) (2001–2007) has the highest number of identified common problems (38). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Nissan X-trail?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Nissan X-trail owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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