Used car guide

2005 Nissan Patrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Nissan Patrol first registered in 2005: we looked at the 364 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 364 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

364MOTs of 2005 cars, done in 2023–2025
68%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 57%)
6,000typical miles a year
4.7×the usual rate for wheel bearings

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

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

  • Wheel bearings4.7× usual
    Nissan Patrol
    16.8% All 2005 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3.4× usual
    Nissan Patrol
    14.8% All 2005 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.5% 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage4.2× usual
    Nissan Patrol
    13.5% All 2005 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, 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.

Better than most

Tread depth: 8.5% here, against 20.8% of all 2005 cars. Tyre condition: 6.3% here, against 14.6% of all 2005 cars.

Common 2005 Nissan Patrol MOT failures and advisories

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

  • Suspension
    44% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    31% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    26% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Rust and bodywork
    20% 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
    16% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Nissan Patrol

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

  1. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 4.7× as often on the 2005 Nissan Patrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2005 Nissan Patrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the 2005 Nissan Patrol as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Nissan Patrol?

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 Patrol compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2009–Too few tests
2008–Too few tests
2007140Lights and electrics 40%
2006170Suspension 38%
2004586Suspension 39%
2003254Brakes 37%
2002197Brakes 29%
2001109Suspension 35%
2000155Suspension 39%
1999138Brakes 29%
1998163Suspension 35%
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests
1994114Suspension 20%
1993–Too few tests
1992–Too few tests
1991–Too few tests
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests

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 Patrol cars first registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score