Nissan Patrol MOT Failures
An analysis of 15,607 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Patrol — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: Y60 (1987–1997), Y61 (1997–2016).
Where the Nissan Patrol fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Patrol is wheel bearings worn — this model is 39 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 15,607 MOT tests, 12.49% of all Nissan Patrol tests recorded this as a failure.
Suspension failures typically mean worn bushes, drop links, or dampers. These affect handling and tyre wear. Budget £150–£400 per corner at an independent garage for full suspension overhaul.
Other notable weak points include anti-roll bar links worn (49x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (16x the fleet average), body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (51x the fleet average), and fixings missing or insecure (105x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Patrol's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Suspension, Seatbelts & Airbags, Bodywork, Brakes, Steering. If you're inspecting a Nissan Patrol before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Nissan Patrol's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Nissan Patrol specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are anti-roll bar links worn (49x the average) and wheel bearings worn (26x). brake pipes corroded (6.1x) and brake pipes corroded also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Nissan Patrol specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (51x the average) and wheel bearings worn (39x). anti-roll bar links worn (24x) and vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t... (23x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Nissan Patrol specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fixings missing or insecure (105x the average) and brake pipes corroded (69x). load sensing valve seized or inoperative and ab... (62x) and track rod ends worn (35x) also appear frequently.
The shift from anti-roll bar links worn at lower mileages to fixings missing or insecure at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Nissan Patrol specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Chassis mounting point corrosion (Y61) Dangerous
The body-to-chassis mounting points on Y61 Patrols suffer severe corrosion that compromises structural integrity. Affects Y61; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,000–£5,000.
Chassis structural corrosion (Y61) Dangerous
The separate chassis design on Y61 Patrols is susceptible to structural corrosion that reduces overall rigidity. Affects Y61; typical independent garage repair cost is £3,000–£8,000.
Front wheel bearing failure (Y61) Major
Y61 Patrols suffer from premature front wheel bearing failure at a rate 39.3 times higher than the fleet average. Affects Y61; typical independent garage repair cost is £180–£300.
Brake pipe corrosion (Y61) Major
Y61 Patrols suffer brake pipe corrosion at 4.8 times the fleet average. Affects Y61; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Patrol common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Patrol
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Patrol:
Suspension — check for wheel bearings worn, anti-roll bar links worn. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Bodywork — check for body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point, fixings missing or insecure, vehicle structure corroded to the extent that t....
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about chassis mounting point corrosion and chassis structural corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £2,000. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Nissan Patrol?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Nissan Patrol MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Patrol?
Based on 15,607 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is wheel bearings worn — at 39x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include anti-roll bar links worn and seat mounting fault.
Is the Nissan Patrol reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Patrol has 13 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag chassis mounting point corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Nissan Patrol most commonly fails on fixings missing or insecure and brake pipes corroded. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are anti-roll bar links worn and wheel bearings worn.
How do I check a Nissan Patrol's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.