MOT failure data · 2025

Nissan X-Trail MOT problems

Across every Nissan X-Trail that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was ball joint ball joint excessively worn, on 12.84% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 31.2%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Nissan X-Trail MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Ball joint ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	12.84%
2	Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	7.3%
3	Track rod end ball joint has excessive play	Steering	6.58%
4	Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn	Suspension	5.57%
5	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	4.33%
6	Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Body, chassis, structure	2.8%
7	Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.72%
8	Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively	Visibility	2.63%
9	Linkage ball joints ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	2.56%
10	Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	2.38%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Nissan X-Trail, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Nissan X-Trail buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Nissan X-Trail?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Nissan models

Nissan X-Trail MOT FAQs

What does a Nissan X-Trail most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Nissan X-Trail cars failing their 2025 MOT was "ball joint ball joint excessively worn", appearing on 12.84% of failure items.

Does this mean my Nissan X-Trail will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Nissan X-Trail that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Nissan X-Trail passed 72.91% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Nissan X-Trail's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.