Nissan Terrano (2003)
2003 Nissan Terrano
CarHunch analysed 2,948 real MOT records for the 2003 Nissan Terrano. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Nissan Terrano is a significantly less reliable proposition than the average UK car, with a first-time MOT pass rate of just 71.2% against the 80% national average—and a troubling 35.3% of vehicles have recorded dangerous defects at some point, well above acceptable levels for a potential purchase. This is a genuine safety and durability concern that should weigh heavily on any buyer's decision.
These Terranos are running at a reasonable mileage for their age (median 76,865 miles), but they're failure-prone machines, averaging over five failures per test and a remarkable 26.2 advisories, indicating widespread wear across multiple systems. Before buying one, insist on a full independent inspection by a diesel specialist—these vehicles demand it—and budget generously for repairs, as chronic minor faults tend to cascade into expensive problems.
What to check before buying a 2003 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.
- ⚠️ 35.3% 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (100%) | 2,939 | 71.1% | 5.08 |
| Petrol (0%) | 9 | 71.9% | 4.44 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 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 2003 Nissan Terrano vehicles fall between 61,439 and 94,346 miles.
2003 Nissan Terrano — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 199 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (9% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Nissan Terrano
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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85.4%
Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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81.8%
Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play
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63%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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61.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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59.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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58.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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57.1%
Fuel pipe/s corroded
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51%
Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Nissan Terrano?
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