Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 30 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 60.0%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander MOT Reliability Overview
The Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 30 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 40.0% and a failure rate of 60.0%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander earns a "Very Poor" reliability rating. The average Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander presents for MOT with approximately 116,853 miles on the clock. The 1996 manufacture year performs best with a 40.0% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander is Brakes, affecting 43.3% of all tests. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. The second most common issue is Suspension at 43.3%. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions rounds out the top three at 30.0%. Together, these top 3 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 143.3% | 43 |
| 2 | Suspension | 126.7% | 38 |
| 3 | Body, Structure And General Items | 53.3% | 16 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 50.0% | 15 |
| 5 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 43.3% | 13 |
| 6 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 33.3% | 10 |
| 7 | Steering | 23.3% | 7 |
| 8 | Driver's View Of The Road | 23.3% | 7 |
| 9 | Tyres | 13.3% | 4 |
| 10 | Registration Plates And Vin | 6.7% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 116,853 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 12.27 | 143.3% | 43 |
| Suspension | 10.84 | 126.7% | 38 |
| Body & Structure | 4.56 | 53.3% | 16 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 4.28 | 50.0% | 15 |
| Emissions & Exhaust | 3.71 | 43.3% | 13 |
| Seat Belts | 2.85 | 33.3% | 10 |
| Steering | 2.00 | 23.3% | 7 |
| Visibility | 2.00 | 23.3% | 7 |
| Tyres | 1.14 | 13.3% | 4 |
| Registration Plates and VIN | 0.57 | 6.7% | 2 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander has 116,853 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 5.13% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander MOT Data
The Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 30 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 40.0% and a failure rate of 60.0%, which is significantly below the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander owners, these results suggest above-average failure risk — thorough pre-MOT checks are recommended. Focus your pre-MOT checks on brakes and suspension for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific Terrano Ii Highlander is likely to perform.
Brakes — 43.3% of failures
Brakes issues account for 43.3% of MOT failures on the Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Suspension — 43.3% of failures
Suspension issues account for 43.3% of MOT failures on the Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 30.0% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 30.0% of MOT failures on the Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander?
Based on 30 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander has an overall pass rate of 40.0% (60.0% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander?
The top 3 reasons a Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander fails its MOT are: 1. Brakes (43.3%), 2. Suspension (43.3%), 3. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (30.0%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander reliable?
With a 60.0% MOT failure rate, the Terrano Ii Highlander is less reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Nissan Terrano Ii Highlander?
Based on failure data, focus on: Brakes (43.3%); Suspension (43.3%); Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (30.0%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.