Used car guide · 1985–2009

Nissan Patrol common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Nissan Patrol, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 2,390 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2009 Nissan Patrol

Too few Nissan Patrol cars first registered in 2009 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Nissan Patrol as a whole.

11on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 2009 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985

What usually goes wrong with a Nissan Patrol?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Nissan Patrol in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Nissan Patrol MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 5.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004.

    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 bushes and joints

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004.

    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.

Nissan Patrol MOT pass rate by year

Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200768%57% +11140 (small sample)
200670%56% +14170 (small sample)
200568%57% +11364 (small sample)
200469%57% +12586
200371%57% +14254 (small sample)
200269%58% +11197 (small sample)
200169%60% +9109 (small sample)
200069%61% +8155 (small sample)
199978%63% +15138 (small sample)
199874%65% +9163 (small sample)
199477%67% +10114 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 5.3× as often on the Nissan Patrol as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the Nissan Patrol as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score