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Buying guide

Nissan X-Trail T31 (2007 to 2013): buying guide, problems and NZ numbers

The Nissan X-Trail T31 was built from 2007 to 2013 as an SUV, with a manual or automatic gearbox, front wheel drive or all wheel drive and petrol or diesel power. Chassis codes: NT31, TNT31 and DNT31. Redline has a curated guide to its 6 most reported weak points, from owner club and specialist sources.

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Key facts

Years
2007 to 2013
Chassis codes
NT31, TNT31, DNT31
Body types
SUV
Gearboxes
Manual, Automatic
Drive
FWD (front wheel drive), AWD (all wheel drive)
Fuel
Petrol, Diesel

On NZ roads

Counting every one on the NZ register. The first look can take up to 15 seconds.

Known weak points

Curated by Redline from owner club and specialist sources Commonly reported by owners and specialists for the Nissan X-Trail T31 (2007 to 2013). Not every car has these; check this one.

  1. CVT (petrol)

    Early T31 CVTs were replaced because an overloaded bearing failed.

    Where to look
    The CVT, felt from the driver seat
    How to test
    Keep looking if the car shimmies, shakes or is noisy when pulling away and accelerating. Ask when the CVT fluid was last changed.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost a replacement CVT

    Sources: carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  2. Clutch (manuals)

    Premature clutch failures are reported on petrol and diesel manuals, worse with towing.

    Where to look
    The clutch pedal and the towbar
    How to test
    Check where the clutch bites and pull away up a slope to feel for slip or judder. Ask what it has towed.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost a clutch kit, heavy duty if you tow

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab), carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  3. 2.0 diesel turbo

    Turbos can fail on the diesel, with more risk over 150,000 km.

    Where to look
    The turbo on the diesel engine, and the exhaust
    How to test
    Watch the mirror for smoke on and off the throttle, look for vapour from a warm engine at idle and listen for a whistle when backing off.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost a replacement turbo

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  4. Diesel particulate filter

    Several diesels have had DPF failures, which are expensive to fix.

    Where to look
    The DPF warning message on the dash
    How to test
    Watch for a DPF warning on the drive and ask how the car has been used.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    High cost a replacement DPF

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab), carsguide.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  5. Rust and underbody damage

    Rust should not be showing on a T31, but off road use scuffs the floor pans and sills and lets corrosion in, and damages joints, boots and the exhaust.

    Where to look
    The floor pans, sills, driveshaft and steering boots, exhaust and catalytic converter
    How to test
    Look underneath with a torch for scuffs, rust, torn boots and a dented exhaust. Bubbles in panels can mean a poor crash repair.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Medium cost depends on what is damaged

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

  6. Power seats (leather models)

    On leather trimmed models the power seat adjusters should be checked.

    Where to look
    The front seat adjuster switches
    How to test
    Run each seat through every adjustment and check it locks in place.
    Cost if it needs fixing
    Low cost seat motor or switch

    Sources: carsales.com.au (opens in a new tab)

General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection. Researched 4 November 2026.

What the cost bands mean
  • Low: a small job. Typically a few hundred dollars or less at an NZ workshop, often a DIY fix.
  • Medium: a proper workshop job. Typically several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
  • High: a major job. Typically several thousand dollars or more, enough to change what the car is worth.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Is it the 2.0 or 2.5 petrol or the 2.0 diesel, and manual or CVT?
  • When was the CVT fluid last changed?
  • Has the clutch been replaced?
  • Has it towed or been off road?

New Zealand notes

  • Many NZ T31s are Japanese imports with the 2.0 or 2.5 petrol and CVT. Compare the odometer on the export certificate with the dash.

A T31 suits a family that wants a practical, boxy SUV and checks the CVT or clutch before buying.

US recalls

Looking up US recall data.

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