Models · Nissan
Nissan X-Trail T32 buying guide
The third-generation X-Trail, sold from 2014 to 2022 with five or seven seats, mostly with the 1.6 dCi diesel and later with 2.0 and 1.7 diesels and 1.6 and 1.3 turbo petrols. Structural rust isn't a concern, and the checks centre on the diesel and the gearbox.
The versions
- 1.6 dCi diesel: 130hp, the launch engine and most common used
- 1.6 DIG-T turbo petrol from 2015: 163hp, manual only; later 1.3 DIG-T petrol, front-wheel drive only
- 2.0 dCi diesel from the 2017 facelift; later 1.7 diesel with AdBlue
- Six-speed manual, Xtronic CVT automatic, and a dual-clutch automatic with the 1.3 petrol
- Front-wheel drive on most cars; four-wheel drive on diesels only
What to check on a T32 X-Trail
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
The 1.6 dCi DPF
What to look for: Ask how the car has been used: mostly short journeys, or regular longer runs. Watch for warning lights, and take a fast run on the test drive so the filter can clean itself. Ask a specialist to confirm the filter hasn't been removed or bypassed.
Why it matters: The diesel particulate filter was designed to last around 80,000 miles, but some filled before 30,000, especially on cars used mainly for short trips. A long drive at higher revs can clear it, or a specialist can clean it, and a replacement is a big job.
Timing chain rattle
What to look for: Start the engine from cold with the bonnet open and listen at the front of the engine. A rattle at start-up, rough idle or loss of power is the thing to note. Check for oil droplets under the front of the engine from the timing cover.
Why it matters: The timing chain on the diesels can stretch, and Nissan recommends replacement at 100,000 miles; camshaft fault codes can point to stretch. On the 1.3 petrol, start-up rattles can mean weak chain tensioners. Oil leaks from the timing cover and the turbo oil lines have also been reported.
Judder or slip from the gearbox
What to look for: On a CVT automatic, pull away gently and then firmly, and listen for whining or humming. Note any shudder from a standstill or the revs flaring without the car picking up speed. On a manual, feel for judder pulling away and vibration at speed. Ask whether the car has towed.
Why it matters: Worn belts and pulleys, low fluid or overheating can cause early CVT failure, so regular fluid servicing matters, with a fluid and filter change around 54,000 miles on hard-worked cars. On manuals, judder and vibration point to the clutch and dual-mass flywheel, which towing wears faster.
Also in the full guide
- Damp footwells and the tailgate
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the T32 X-Trail
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Nissan.