Used car guide · 1993–2006

Nissan Terrano common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Nissan Terrano, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 4,366 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1994 Nissan Terrano

Too few Nissan Terrano cars first registered in 1994 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 Terrano as a whole.

173on the UK register at the end of 2025
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 1994 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).

20062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993

What usually goes wrong with a Nissan Terrano?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Nissan Terrano 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 Terrano 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.

  • Corroded fuel pipes

    up to 15.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    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 bearings

    up to 5.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    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 joints

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002 and 2003.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003 and 2004.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

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

Nissan Terrano 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
200649%56% -7178 (small sample)
200555%57% -2796
200453%57% -41,218
200357%57% +0829
200257%58% -1609
200164%60% +4244 (small sample)
200062%61% +1192 (small sample)
199958%63% -5188 (small sample)
199863%65% -2112 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Nissan Terrano

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

  1. Any recent work on the corroded fuel pipes? (Flagged at MOT 15.5× as often on the Nissan Terrano as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the chassis rust or damage? (Flagged at MOT 6× as often on the Nissan Terrano as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the wheel bearings? (Flagged at MOT 5.2× as often on the Nissan Terrano as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Nissan Terrano?

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