2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Nissan Terrano MOT pass rate and common faults

245 MOT tests in 2024. 59.2% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

103Above average
Passed first time59.2%
Failed or needed repairs40.8%
Typical mileage at test106,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 245 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.9%
  2. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength5.7%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases4.9%
  4. Position lamp: not working4.1%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.1%
  6. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault4.1%
  7. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting3.7%
  8. Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.3%
  9. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.9%
  10. Washers: not working2.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Body & chassis31.4%
  2. Suspension29.8%
  3. Lights & electrics18.4%
  4. Brakes13.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)10.2%
  6. Seat belts & airbags8.6%
  7. Steering4.5%
  8. Emissions & leaks3.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded24.5%
  2. Wheel bearings: has excessive play18.0%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.9%
  4. Chassis condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced13.5%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases13.1%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Nissan Terrano?

In 2024, 59.2% of 2003 Nissan Terrano cars passed their MOT first time, across 245 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Nissan Terrano?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength; exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases. The biggest problem area was body & chassis.

Is the 2003 Nissan Terrano reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 103, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).