2003 Nissan X-Trail MOT pass rate: 59.3% (3,452 tests)
Is the 2003 X-Trail getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 60.8% -3.7 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 57.1% -7.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 59.5% -6.6 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 X-Trail
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 1,516 | 28.0% |
| 2 | Brakes | 976 | 18.1% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 862 | 15.9% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 729 | 13.5% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 403 | 7.5% |
| 6 | Steering | 272 | 5.0% |
All X-Trail years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 (this page) | 3,452 | 59.3% | -5.6 pts | 118,817 |
| 2004 | 6,186 | 58.7% | -5.6 pts | 124,743 |
| 2005 | 9,732 | 58.9% | -5.5 pts | 126,910 |
| 2006 | 12,138 | 56.4% | -8.0 pts | 124,889 |
| 2007 | 10,802 | 57.5% | -7.7 pts | 124,170 |
| 2008 | 8,678 | 57.1% | -8.0 pts | 126,798 |
| 2009 | 5,591 | 58.6% | -7.8 pts | 117,592 |
| 2010 | 4,064 | 57.6% | -9.7 pts | 117,424 |
| 2011 | 6,082 | 59.8% | -9.4 pts | 110,874 |
| 2012 | 4,948 | 63.0% | -8.2 pts | 98,498 |
| 2013 | 4,694 | 66.4% | -6.9 pts | 89,819 |
| 2014 | 11,400 | 68.6% | -7.2 pts | 86,677 |
| 2015 | 24,342 | 71.2% | -7.6 pts | 80,008 |
| 2016 | 44,182 | 76.4% | -4.9 pts | 69,117 |
| 2017 | 50,609 | 81.2% | -2.9 pts | 59,953 |
| 2018 | 26,403 | 85.7% | -0.7 pts | 48,911 |
| 2019 | 16,560 | 87.3% | -1.1 pts | 37,521 |
| 2020 | 14,067 | 89.8% | -0.1 pts | 30,574 |
| 2021 | 3,991 | 89.8% | -0.6 pts | 28,341 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Nissan X-Trail years to avoid.
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FAQs
Is a 2003 Nissan X-Trail reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 59.3% of their MOT tests (3,452 tests, 2023–2025), -5.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 118,817 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 X-Trail?
The median tested example shows 118,817 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2003 X-Trail?
In this cohort petrols pass 63.3% of tests against 55.3% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.