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Nissan Terrano R20 (Terrano II) (1992-2006) reliability

Not enough data

Nissan Terrano R20 (Terrano II) built around 2004: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Nissan Terrano R20 (Terrano II) models built around 2004 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at a Nissan Terrano R20 (Terrano II) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

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

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1992-2006SUVDIESEL

Based on 1,463 tests of Terrano models registered 1992-2006.

R20 (Terrano II) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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
18028.3%

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.

How the Terrano R20 (Terrano II) compares

At each age below, see how the Terrano R20 (Terrano II) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 20,293 tests across 12 Nissan models, built around 2004 (21 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateNissan average
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
18028.3%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Terrano R20 (Terrano II).

  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 R20 (Terrano II), 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 R20 (Terrano II), 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 R20 (Terrano II), 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 R20 (Terrano II), 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.

Recall context

7 recalls in all

5 of the 7 Terrano R20 (Terrano II) 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.

What has gone wrong on Terrano R20 (Terrano II) cars built around 2004

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 237 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
78%
Drivetrain
65%
Emissions
54%
Bodywork
31%
Steering
16%

Wear items

Brakes
73%
Lighting
63%
Tyres
41%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 60% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Terrano R20 (Terrano II) cars have aged

How Terrano R20 (Terrano II) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%30%40%1517192123Age at MOTBuilt around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (116 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 37.0% (81 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (59 tests, 2023 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.0% (506 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 35.9% (398 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (303 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (219 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (159 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.7% (695 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (520 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (416 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (306 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (234 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.9% (460 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (312 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (254 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 26.1% (153 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.3% (127 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.2% (364 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (243 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (185 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.0% (150 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 31.5% (127 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (166 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 36.8% (125 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (81 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 22.0% (50 tests, 2024 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 35.4% (113 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 36.0% (86 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 36.7% (60 tests, 2023 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (73 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 30.2% (53 tests, 2022 data)1999
First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003
How each part holds up as R20 (Terrano II) cars age

How each part holds up as R20 (Terrano II) cars age

The share of diesel cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension78%75%80%73%
Brakes73%68%75%66%
Emissions54%53%64%52%
Tyres41%43%45%42%
Lighting63%57%74%64%
Drivetrain65%62%68%56%
Bodywork31%28%32%42%
Steering16%13%13%9%
Corrosion60%55%64%62%

Based on diesel cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 187 to 247 cars at each age.

R20 (Terrano II) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Nissan Terranos of this age

This list covers every Nissan Terrano built around 2004, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the R20 (Terrano II) on its own.

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 tests

Looking at a Nissan Terrano R20 (Terrano II) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2004 (21 years old), the Nissan Terrano R20 (Terrano II) (1992-2006) 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.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 1,463 MOT tests on Nissan Terranos first registered between 1992-2006. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.