2005 Nissan X-Trail petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Nissan X-Trail petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Nissan X-Trail petrol than on all cars registered in 2005.

• Sub-frame2.5× usual
  Nissan X-Trail

  14.1% All 2005 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints5.9× usual
  Nissan X-Trail

  8.9% All 2005 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.3% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Exhaust system1.7× usual
  Nissan X-Trail

  16.4% All 2005 cars

  9.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.6% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Brake pads1.9× usual
  Nissan X-Trail

  14.8% All 2005 cars

  8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Ball joint2× usual
  Nissan X-Trail

  13% All 2005 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, 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.

Common 2005 Nissan X-Trail petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  54% 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
  45% 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
  32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  29% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2005 Nissan X-Trail petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2005 Nissan X-Trail petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.9× as often on the 2005 Nissan X-Trail petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2005 Nissan X-Trail petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?