Used car guide

2006 Nissan Navara: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Nissan Navara first registered in 2006: we looked at the 5,824 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,824MOTs of 2006 cars, done in 2023–2025
55%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 56%)
7,800typical miles a year
7.1×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Nissan Navara?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Nissan Navara than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Chassis rust or damage7.1× usual
    Nissan Navara
    20% All 2006 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9%, against 0.8% of all 2006 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.

  • Ball joint2.2× usual
    Nissan Navara
    14.1% All 2006 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 3.1% of all 2006 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.

  • Wheel bearings3.3× usual
    Nissan Navara
    10.4% All 2006 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.2% of all 2006 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.

  • Track rod ends2.3× usual
    Nissan Navara
    12.4% All 2006 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 2.4% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Prop shaft joints27.5× usual
    Nissan Navara
    5.5% All 2006 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 0.1% of all 2006 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

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 0.9% here, against 10.6% of all 2006 cars. Tyre condition: 6.4% here, against 14.8% of all 2006 cars.

Common 2006 Nissan Navara MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Nissan Navara MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    43% 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
    36% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    22% 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
    16% 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 2006 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 2006 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 7.1× as often on the 2006 Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2006 Nissan Navara as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2006 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%
20053,895Lights and electrics 47%
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 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score