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Nissan Terrano reliability by build year

Coverage 1992-20061 named generationSUVDIESEL

We've only got 377 MOT tests for Nissan Terranos built around 2004 (21 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

Not enough data

Nissan Terrano built around 2004: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Nissan Terranos built around 2004 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Check a Nissan Terrano by number plate

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Nissan Terrano's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Underbody / chassis corrosion

High priority

Get the car on a ramp or jack point and inspect sills, subframe mounts, and rear suspension mounting points.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Terrano's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

R

R20 (Terrano II) (1992-2006)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESEL

31.6% fail rate, built around 2004 (21 years old)

Likely between 27.1% and 36.4%

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.1%)

From 377 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Nissan Terrano.

See every build year for the Nissan Terrano

By age

Nissan Terrano fail rate by age

This chart combines every Nissan Terrano ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
12928.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
34433.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
37731.6%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
19930.6%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
16729.9%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
6726.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
18128.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 20 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 21-year-old Nissan Terranos

These issues come from 21-year-old Nissan Terranos, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    23.6%
    Advisory: 105Fail: 9 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    22.6%
    Advisory: 97Fail: 49 (34% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Body structure corroded, but not seriously weakened

    21.2%
    Advisory: 94Fail: 11 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    18.6%
    Advisory: 95Fail: 7 (7% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    16.4%
    Advisory: 63Fail: 1 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 377 MOT tests on 21-year-old Nissan Terranos, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 21-year-old Nissan Terranos notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Body & structure + Brakes49%
  2. Body & structure + Suspension41%
  3. Brakes + Suspension38%
  4. Body & structure + Other36%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 270 MOT tests on Nissan Terrano cars built around 2004 (21 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Nissan Terrano.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

7 recalls in all

5 of the 7 Nissan Terrano recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 4 more

Top concerns

  • Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly
  • A non-dessicated passenger airbag inflator was used during previous recall to replace this component
  • Replace airbag inflators checked but not replaced under previous recall R/2015/093

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Land Rover Defender

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.1%
    Dangerous
    5.8%

    Lower fail rate: 27.2%, against 31.6% for the Nissan Terrano, both built around 2004.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    5,823 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  2. 2

    Land Rover Discovery

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    12.3%
    Dangerous
    5.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.1%

    Lower fail rate: 26.5%, against 31.6% for the Nissan Terrano, both built around 2004.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,952 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  3. 3

    Land Rover Range Rover

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.8%
    Dangerous
    7.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.8%

    Lower fail rate: 25.2%, against 31.6% for the Nissan Terrano, both built around 2004.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,269 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

  4. 4

    Toyota Land Cruiser

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.4%

    Lower fail rate: 28.4%, against 31.6% for the Nissan Terrano, both built around 2004.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,145 MOT tests on cars built around 2004

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Nissan Terrano across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 377 21-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Nissan Terrano ever sold: 1,464 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2004 (21 years old): 377 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.