Nissan Xtrail 2007- model

[SimpleSimon]

Hi all,
The exhaust has just gone on my trust Mitsubishi and it's desperately in need of a service. It's worth basically nothing so I'm looking at taking a loan and buying a used Xtrail. The one I'm looking at is the post 2007 model, top spec manual diesel and it's going for a very reasonable price. The mileage is just shy of 130k, so I wanted to ask does anybody have experience, good or bad, of that model Xtrail in terms of its high-mileage longevity. The car has a full service history and looks to be clean, although I haven't had a look in the flesh as it's some distance away.
Any thoughts?

 

[Highbird70]

I am selling mine Simon, same model, full specs

 

[mallettn]

Simon,
I have an X-Trail and some experience of high mileage cars.
X-Trail's seem pretty reliable although turbos are a bit of a weakness and any diesel turbo is likely to be on borrowed time beyond 125,000 miles IMO. I have just had a rear wheel bearing go on mine and because the nuts were so corroded they had to cut them off and replace the two hub link arms because they had cut the ends off so £200 job becomes £600 job. Also expect suspension work if not done as bushes, track rod ends etc... are all worn by c 120,000 miles.
In other words condition (including what work has been done) is critical in higher mileage vehicles and is still no guarantee of reliability. If you don't mind spending some decent sums of money on repairs on a low value vehicle it can make sense as you don't have the hidden cost of significant depreciation and you don't have to worry too much if it gets a little punishment from off road use.
Neal

 

[SimpleSimon]

Simon,
I have an X-Trail and some experience of high mileage cars.
X-Trail's seem pretty reliable although turbos are a bit of a weakness and any diesel turbo is likely to be on borrowed time beyond 125,000 miles IMO. I have just had a rear wheel bearing go on mine and because the nuts were so corroded they had to cut them off and replace the two hub link arms because they had cut the ends off so £200 job becomes £600 job. Also expect suspension work if not done as bushes, track rod ends etc... are all worn by c 120,000 miles.
In other words condition (including what work has been done) is critical in higher mileage vehicles and is still no guarantee of reliability. If you don't mind spending some decent sums of money on repairs on a low value vehicle it can make sense as you don't have the hidden cost of significant depreciation and you don't have to worry too much if it gets a little punishment from off road use.
Neal

Makes sense. So you're overall happy with your xtrail?
I have a very skilled and honest diesel mechanic who I use and does more or less mate's rates, so having the odd bit of work done doesn't worry me much, as long as the overall build quality isn't prone to self destructing. A car that needs a 300 quid spent once a year is more desirable to me than one that needs 50 quid spending six times a year.

 

[Highlandsjohn]

Simon, Sometimes better the devil you know. With hindsight, I wish I had spent the money to upgrade my Mitsi Pajero.(270,000 Kl).
At 137,000 miles, if manual, think clutch, if its got a belt, timing belt, apart from all the wear and tear highlighted previously.
Check out prices for your present vehicle with Milners off road in Derby, you might be pleasantly surprised. All that glitters.......
However if you can buy from someone you know and trust and will stand behind what they are selling.....jc

 

[SimpleSimon]

Should have said, my Mitsu is a SpaceStar, not a 4x4. Its not especially high-mileage but is old and was only really intended as a stop gap between selling my motorbike and getting a better car for our needs.

 

[mallettn]

Simon,
I am very happy with my X-trail because it is good on road and pretty capable off with decent fuel economy. This year is the first I have had significant repair bills - 2 hits: £1k in total. Mine is a 2005 model diesel with 116,000 miles so still quite low mileage!
Neal

 

[NorthDorset]

I have a 2013 xtrail Teckna manual diesel. Truly excellent car. I've done 53000 miles in from new.

Not the 100k plus miles you are looking at but its been great.

 

[danban]

I had an earlier model with 60,000 on the clock and 1 owner. Pile of ****! First week the fuel pump had a problem. Booked in under warranty but on the second weekend the turbo let go. I got my money and old car back. Then got a 2 year old focus.

 

[SimpleSimon]

Well I've taken the plunge, so we'll see. Got a 57 plate with 125k on nearly immaculate given the mileage

 

[mallettn]

Hope it works out well for you. Neal

 

[karlbird]

Good cars - I have a 2007 model. Needed some work on suspension and brakes, but it gets a lot of stick. Very happy with mine and get 38.7 mpg over thousands of miles as an average.

One thing is I wish the underside was a bit better thought out. Mine is off road lots and all the heat shields have had to be botched back in to place, I worry for all the other bits hanging underneath too, get under one and you will see what I mean.

 

[stratts]

Well I've taken the plunge, so we'll see. Got a 57 plate with 125k on nearly immaculate given the mileage

Only just seen your thread mate & wish I'd seen it earlier to aid your decision - 1st word of warning, mind those trees in the passenger rear blind spot and don't back into one within 24hrs of getting it like I did!! The bumper and tailgate bend easily!!

On a serious note I've had my 05 X trail 3 years and I bought it with 60k on the clock & I think they are good motors. Now done 122k and in the last year I've needed to spend some serious money on it (including new turbo), with more to follow so I'm looking to get rid, although I've used it for the intended purpose of going off road, shooting out of it, carting stuff about and generally abusing it somewhat!! A few things to note that I've since found out.

The turbo's are prone to going around the 120k upwards mark, as mine did. Cost of repair around £800 for a 6 month warranty turbo - Over a grand for 12 month!

The timing chains are known to stretch and rattle as mine is doing now around 125k according to my mate who owns a garage. He had one and sold it with that mileage on and bought another younger model as he used it for towing and loves them. I don't want to think about what will happen if it snaps and I'm just hoping it lasts ok for another few months before I chop it in!!

The wheel bearings can be quite costly to replace as they are pressed units and are not the cheapest out there.

The alloys are made of monkey metal and corrode badly on the older models if you go off road like I do and can affect the bead of the tyres, causing them to go down and need constant pumping up!! Not a biggy, just annoying when it's cold and wet!!

Like all cars you may get a peach, or at 125k you may soon encounter some problems (hopefully not!!) and I know it's now too late, but I would have said go for a lower mileage one.

Now you've taken the plunge, my word of advice is ring the AA and get a quote for personal cover with the repair cover of a named car included. Mine costs £28 a month for me & the Mrs recovery in any car not owned by us including homestart, my 05 X Trail and my Mrs 08 Altea and they pay out up to £500 a time for 6 occurrances in a calendar year. So my turbo only cost me £300 and they paid out no quible for the difference as long as it's been serviced! They also went out to my Mrs when it wouldn't start, sorted it out, put a new battery on and it only cost me the £35 excess per claim.

Bit long winded but hope it helps,

Stratts

 

[Gaothead]

Just got my 130k 05 which had just had it's head gasket done. Hope the warranty is worth the paper...
Mine has a fast idle and warm starting problem so check for them both. Idle should not be 1600rpm and it should start easily after a 2 minute break. My test drive was driving not start/stop - I'll know for next time.