Nissan Terrano (1998)
1998 Nissan Terrano
CarHunch analysed 3,394 real MOT records for the 1998 Nissan Terrano. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 Nissan Terrano is considerably less reliable than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of just 67.5% against the national benchmark of 80%. Nearly 27% of these vehicles have suffered dangerous defects at some point, which is a serious concern for a nearly three-decade-old model and a genuine buyer warning sign.
These Terranos are running at around 110,000 miles on average for their age, which is typical, but they're accumulating an average of 3.84 failures and 15.6 advisories per test — suggesting widespread wear across multiple systems rather than one critical weak point. If you're considering one, budget for suspension, exhaust and electrical work, and factor in that you'll likely need repairs before the next MOT.
What to check before buying a 1998 Nissan Terrano
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 26.8% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Nissan Terrano
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (85%) | 2,872 | 67.7% | 3.89 |
| Petrol (15%) | 514 | 66.3% | 3.53 |
| LPG (0%) | 8 | 61.9% | 4.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 Nissan Terrano vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1998 Nissan Terrano vehicles fall between 90,835 and 129,524 miles.
1998 Nissan Terrano — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 71 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2022 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2022.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1998 Nissan Terrano
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
76.1%
Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
-
73.1%
Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
-
60.3%
Fuel pipe/s corroded
-
46.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
46.1%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
45.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
44.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
43.7%
Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1998. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Nissan Terrano?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.