2004 Nissan X-Trail MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 52.6% of Nissan X-Trails first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. Across 6,250 X-Trail first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Nissan X-Trails first used in 2004 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2004 Nissan X-Trail MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, X-Trails first used in 2004 against all cars first used in 2004 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the X-Trail figure was 5.2 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2004 X-Trail | All cars first used 2004 | X-Trail first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52.4% | 53.9% | 4,508 |
| 2022 | 51.9% | 55.2% | 3,575 |
| 2023 | 52.5% | 56.0% | 2,753 |
| 2024 | 51.0% | 56.4% | 2,028 |
| 2025 | 52.6% | 57.8% | 1,469 |
Common 2004 Nissan X-Trail MOT failures
Share of the 2,999 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 18.0% | 539 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 15.3% | 459 |
| Position lamp: not working | 14.2% | 425 |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | 12.0% | 361 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 9.2% | 276 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an X-Trail in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2004 Nissan X-Trail before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2004 Nissan X-Trail MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2004 X-Trails, as a share of all 6,250 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 22.4% | 1,399 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 18.5% | 1,157 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.6% | 1,039 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 16.5% | 1,034 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | 15.6% | 973 |
Questions about the 2004 Nissan X-Trail MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2004 Nissan X-Trail?
In 2025, 52.6% of X-Trails first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2004 X-Trail most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 51.4% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (38.6%) and brakes (32.5%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (18.0%).
How often does a 2004 Nissan X-Trail fail its MOT?
In 2025, 47.4% of first tests on X-Trails first used in 2004 did not pass first time: 40.2% failed, and a further 7.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,999 of 6,250 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2004 Nissan X-Trail MOT advisories?
“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 22.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (18.5%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (16.6%), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (16.5%) and “Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened” (15.6%).
Is a 2004 Nissan X-Trail reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 52.4% in 2021 to 52.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2004
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2004 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2004 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2004 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2004 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2004 Volkswagen Polo MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2004 X-Trail?
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