2004 Nissan X-Trail 2.2L Diesel · AY04 RJU

The most recent MOT, conducted on 16 July 2025 at 99,613 miles, returned a pass, but the record shows a maintenance trend that is neither stable nor clearly improving. The tester flagged inner-edge wear on both front tyres and outer-edge wear on the nearside rear, indicating potential tracking, suspension geometry, or alignment issues rather than simple neglect. A corroded nearside rear outer sill and slight play in the offside track rod end ball joint were also noted. These advisories point to age-related deterioration and wear in key steering and structural areas, meaning the vehicle requires careful mechanical inspection before purchase. The mileage pattern is notably uneven. Between the July 2024 test at 85,263 miles and the July 2025 test at 99,613 miles, the vehicle covered 14,350 miles in twelve months, a significant jump compared to the 4,041 miles recorded in the prior year and the 640 miles between the two 2022 tests. This suggests either a period of very light use followed by a sudden increase in driving, or long-term standing before 2022. Such irregular usage patterns can accelerate wear on consumables like tyres and brakes while also promoting corrosion in structural areas that see little exercise. Corrosion is a recurring theme across the record. Advisories for corroded rear outer sills appear in 2022, 2023, and 2025, with the 2024 test noting corrosion to the vehicle structure while stating rigidity was not significantly reduced. A buyer should inspect the full length of both sills, the subframe mounting points, and the underbody for progressive rust, particularly around suspension component mountings. The fractured offside front coil spring identified in the June 2022 failure was rectified, but the suspension should still be checked for sag, bounce, and uneven ride height. The headlamp lens defects noted in 2023 and 2024 suggest long-standing moisture ingress or lens degradation, which can reduce night-time visibility. Combined with the track rod end play and uneven tyre wear, a full four-wheel alignment and steering component check is advisable. While the vehicle has passed its last MOT, the pattern of recurring corrosion and wear-related advisories indicates it needs ongoing monitoring and likely investment in suspension and body repairs.