Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI?

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 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI?

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 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI?

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.

Is the 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI reliable?

Based on MOT data from 161 vehicles, the 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI has a first-time MOT pass rate of 75.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI?

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 X Trail Sport DCI (2004)

161 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75.5% first-time pass rate

2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI

CarHunch analysed 161 real MOT records for the 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2004 Nissan X-Trail Sport DCI has a first-time pass rate of just 61.5%, well below the UK average of 80%, suggesting these vehicles are noticeably more prone to MOT failures as they age. The good news is that no dangerous defects have been recorded across the 161 vehicles analysed, so while repairs are common, safety-critical issues aren't a widespread pattern.

At 140,000 miles median mileage, these cars are running high but not exceptionally so for a 20-year-old diesel SUV, and the 0.86 average failures per vehicle points to routine wear items rather than catastrophic problems. If you're considering one, expect to budget for repairs before the next MOT test—budget for at least one or two fixing jobs—and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the suspension, cooling system, and diesel engine condition.

We have limited data for the 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

75.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.86

Over 3.2 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

141k

Middle half: 120k–168k

For context

These stats describe 161 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.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 161 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI cars.

Before you buy a 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI

Based on MOT data from 161 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% 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 (99%)	160	75.4%	0.87

Mileage Distribution

Most 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI 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.

140,744

typical

119,917

low mileage

168,034

high mileage

Half of all 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI vehicles fall between 119,917 and 168,034 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 119,917 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.

✓ 119,917–168,034 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCIs sit.

⚠ Over 226,845 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCI — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 11% of 2004 Nissan X Trail Sport DCIs are still active.

Numbers are declining — 12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (11% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2024.
* 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

3.2

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.86

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Nissan X Trail Sport DCI: All X Trail Sport DCI years → Which year to buy? →

2005

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Compare with another model

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Average reliability — agree?