Does the Nissan X-Trail fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Nissan X-Trail records 21.52 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 13.73 expected for a car of the same age mix: more than expected for its class and age (+7.79, 95% interval +7.66 to +7.91). It ranks 84 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Nissan X-Trail by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Nissan X-Trail is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 68,945 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 68,945 | 12.65 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 10,415 | 1.91 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 9,224 | 1.69 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 5,787 | 1.06 |
| A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened | 4,055 | 0.74 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 544,942 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Nissan X-Trail gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
27.4% of Nissan X-Trail MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 6,335 miles later (77,138 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 77,138 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
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