Used car guide

2005 Nissan Navara: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Nissan Navara first registered in 2005: we looked at the 3,895 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,895MOTs of 2005 cars, done in 2023–2025
55%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
7,200typical miles a year
6.9×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Nissan Navara?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Nissan Navara than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Chassis rust or damage6.9× usual
    Nissan Navara
    22.1% All 2005 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 0.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Wheel bearings4.5× usual
    Nissan Navara
    16.1% All 2005 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Ball joint2.1× usual
    Nissan Navara
    13.9% All 2005 cars
    6.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 3.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Braking performance1.7× usual
    Nissan Navara
    12.3% All 2005 cars
    7.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Prop shaft joints20× usual
    Nissan Navara
    4% All 2005 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.1% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Better than most

Coil springs: 1.4% here, against 10.4% of all 2005 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.7% here, against 10.5% of all 2005 cars.

Common 2005 Nissan Navara MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2005 Nissan Navara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    47% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    44% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    42% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Rust and bodywork
    26% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Tyres
    21% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    17% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2005 Nissan Navara

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Nissan Navara

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Has the chassis been repaired or replaced?
  2. Has the timing chain been replaced or upgraded?
  3. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 6.9× as often on the 2005 Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the 2005 Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2005 Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Nissan Navara?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Nissan Navara compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022127Brakes 17%
202113,787Tyres 18%
202012,967Brakes 18%
201922,225Brakes 20%
201823,709Tyres 21%
201726,575Suspension 28%
201623,155Suspension 27%
201511,700Suspension 31%
201410,548Suspension 35%
201310,284Suspension 38%
20129,937Suspension 40%
201111,814Suspension 42%
20105,705Lights and electrics 42%
20095,369Lights and electrics 45%
20085,296Lights and electrics 44%
20076,693Suspension 43%
20065,824Suspension 43%
20042,330Lights and electrics 49%
2003966Brakes 49%
2002311Brakes 50%
2001169Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Nissan Navara cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score