Nissan Terrano MOT Failures
An analysis of 39,483 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Terrano — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: R20 (1993–2006).
Where the Nissan Terrano fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Terrano is transmission joint, belt or chain worn — this model is 285 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it an extreme outlier for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 39,483 MOT tests, 5.2% of all Nissan Terrano tests recorded this as a failure.
Bodywork failures usually mean structural corrosion — not cosmetic rust, but rot that affects the car's structural integrity. Check sills, subframes, and chassis rails carefully, especially on older examples.
Other notable weak points include abs fault (234x the fleet average), free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (206x the fleet average), light unit fault (93x the fleet average), and wheel bearings worn (72x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Terrano'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: Bodywork, Suspension, Steering, Lights & Electrics, Seatbelts & Airbags. If you're inspecting a Nissan Terrano 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 Terrano'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 Terrano specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are structural corrosion (216x the average) and seat mounting fault (145x). body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (138x) and light unit fault (93x) 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 Terrano specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are transmission joint, belt or chain worn (285x the average) and abs fault (234x). free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (206x) and body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (47x) 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 Terrano specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are abs fault (182x the average) and fixings missing or insecure (85x). free play in the steering, measured at the rim ... (62x) and transmission joint, belt or chain worn (61x) also appear frequently.
The shift from structural corrosion at lower mileages to abs fault 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 Terrano specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion - mounting points (R20) Dangerous
The Terrano suffers from severe structural corrosion at chassis mounting points, particularly where suspension components, sub-frames and body panels attach to the main structure. Affects R20; typical independent garage repair cost is £1,500–£4,000.
Wheel bearing failure (R20) Major
The Terrano exhibits wheel bearing failure at 70.9 times the fleet average according to MOT data, making it one of the most common failure points on this model. Affects R20; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
Transmission joint wear (R20) Major
The Terrano shows transmission joint failures at 71.9 times the fleet average, particularly affecting CV joints and driveshaft components in the 4WD system. Affects R20; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Steering rack wear (R20) Major
The Terrano shows steering play failures at 64.9 times the fleet average, primarily due to steering rack wear and associated components. Affects R20; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Terrano common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Terrano
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Terrano:
Bodywork — check for transmission joint, belt or chain worn. Suspension — check for abs fault, wheel bearings worn, anti-roll bar links worn, suspension component damaged or corroded. Steering — check for free play in the steering, measured at the rim .... Lights & Electrics — check for light unit fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion - mounting points and wheel bearing failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £1,500. 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 Terrano?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Nissan Terrano MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Terrano?
Based on 39,483 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is transmission joint, belt or chain worn — at 285x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include abs fault and free play in the steering, measured at the rim ....
Is the Nissan Terrano reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Terrano has 15 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion - mounting points 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 Terrano most commonly fails on abs fault and fixings missing or insecure. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are structural corrosion and seat mounting fault.
How do I check a Nissan Terrano'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.