NISSAN X TRAIL Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,846 MOT tests from 398 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every NISSAN X TRAIL has the same fault.

NISSAN X TRAIL's have a very good reliability rating of 618/999. The score was calculated from the average of every NISSAN X TRAIL that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the NISSAN X TRAIL.

NISSAN X TRAIL (example)

Check a Nissan X Trail before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	877/999Excellent	66,374 miles	826 vehicles
N/A	N/A	844/999Excellent	94,683 miles	1,958 vehicles
N/A	N/A	795/999Very good	85,983 miles	1,461 vehicles
N/A	N/A	752/999Very good	81,712 miles	5,638 vehicles
N/A	N/A	688/999Good	75,260 miles	7,669 vehicles
N/A	N/A	666/999Good	79,257 miles	9,205 vehicles
N/A	N/A	662/999Good	87,170 miles	586 vehicles
N/A	N/A	632/999Good	80,397 miles	6,537 vehicles
N/A	N/A	607/999Good	84,729 miles	3,643 vehicles
N/A	N/A	576/999Above average	82,990 miles	1,982 vehicles
N/A	N/A	462/999Average	96,482 miles	783 vehicles
N/A	N/A	452/999Average	97,077 miles	965 vehicles
N/A	N/A	450/999Average	86,457 miles	782 vehicles
N/A	N/A	406/999Average	80,350 miles	1,555 vehicles
N/A	N/A	400/999Average	82,791 miles	3,161 vehicles

How reliable is the NISSAN X TRAIL?

Based on 3,846 MOT tests from 398 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

398

MOT tests

3,846

Pass rate

79.1%

Median mileage

89,149 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every NISSAN X TRAIL has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 685 out of 999.

Common NISSAN X TRAIL MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 737 advisory comments and 44 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 342 advisory comments and 54 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 246 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 142 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 92 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 85 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 62 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Track rod wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 55 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record play or damage at a track rod or track rod end.

What to inspect

Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TRACK ROD END BALL JOINT HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY (2.1.3 (B) (I))

NISSAN X TRAIL MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2025	10	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	22	1	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	14	16	100%	Tyre wear
2020	17	79	83.5%	Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
2019	17	91	87.9%	Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
2018	32	226	85.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	57	488	82.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	75	713	81.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	39	413	77.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	21	251	80.1%	Brake pad wear, Suspension arm issues
2013	10	142	73.9%	Corrosion, Suspension arm issues
2012	8	127	76.4%	Suspension arm issues, Tyre wear
2011	11	193	75.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2010	5	81	77.8%	Brake disc wear, Brake pad wear
2009	7	141	72.3%	Anti-roll bar issues, Tyre wear
2008	5	118	68.6%	Tyre wear, Ball joint wear
2007	10	216	74.1%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2006	10	229	76%	Corrosion, Tyre wear
2003	5	127	75.6%	Corrosion, Windscreen damage

What to check when buying a used NISSAN X TRAIL

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.
Track rod wear. Check for play when the steering wheel is rocked and listen for a knock while turning.

Buying a NISSAN X TRAIL?

Common problems tell you what can affect NISSAN X TRAILs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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