Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2003 Nissan D22?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2003 Nissan D22?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2003 Nissan D22?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2003 Nissan D22 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

27% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2003 Nissan D22 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,361 vehicles, the 2003 Nissan D22 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2003 Nissan D22?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2003 Nissan D22 are: Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (57.1% of vehicles), Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (55.2% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (54.2% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2003 Nissan D22?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Nissan D22 (2003)

1,361 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.3% first-time pass rate

2003 Nissan D22

CarHunch analysed 1,361 real MOT records for the 2003 Nissan D22. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2003 Nissan D22 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.3%, which falls noticeably short of the UK average of 80%, and nearly 27% of these trucks have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a significant concern for buyers prioritising safety. The diesel-only lineup shows no meaningful advantage, with a 75.4% pass rate that reflects the model's underlying weakness.

These D22s average 86,707 miles, which is reasonable for their age, but the real issue emerges in the failure pattern: owners face an average of 3.81 failures and 21.5 advisories per test, suggesting chronic wear and maintenance gaps. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on brake systems and suspension geometry, as the high advisory count indicates these areas are where ageing D22s consistently struggle.

The 2003 Nissan D22 has a decent first-time pass rate (75.3%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

75.3%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

26.9%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.81

Over 14.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

83k

Middle half: 67k–105k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 21.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,361 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 1,361 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Suspension & steering 57.1%

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play · Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Tyre wear 54.2%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 47.5%

Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Lighting 25.3%

Rear Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated · Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated

Usually cheap to fix. Worth confirming all lights work before collecting.

Other issues 23.1%

Oil leak

Exhaust & emissions 21.7%

Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,361 Nissan D22 cars.

Before you buy a 2003 Nissan D22

Based on MOT data from 1,361 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 26.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (100%)	1,357	75.4%	3.81

Colour Breakdown

Based on 5,258 Nissan D22 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 38.9%

2,045

Blue 30%

1,579

Red 11.6%

610

White 8.4%

443

Black 4.2%

219

Green 3.3%

176

Grey 2.9%

154

Orange 0.5%

Yellow 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2003 Nissan D22 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

83,149

typical

66,759

low mileage

104,849

high mileage

Half of all 2003 Nissan D22 vehicles fall between 66,759 and 104,849 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 66,759 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 66,759–104,849 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2003 Nissan D22s sit.

⚠ Over 141,546 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2003 Nissan D22 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 14% of 2003 Nissan D22s are still active.

Numbers are declining — 111 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (14% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

14.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.81

Avg failures per vehicle

21.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Nissan D22: All D22 years → Which year to buy? →

1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005

Or browse all models: Nissan →

Compare with another model

See how the 2003 Nissan D22 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing