Nissan Pulsar years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year
All 5 Nissan Pulsar years have MOT pass rates below the average for vehicles first used in the same year.
- Below the average for their first-use year2014–2018
- Above the average for their first-use yearNone
- Can't be told apart from averageNone
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 70.0% to 71.3%.
In 2025, 70.7% of the 20,791 initial MOT tests on Nissan Pulsar cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 74.7%. That is 4.0 points below the same-age average.
Check a specific Pulsar
Nissan Pulsar MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018age 7 | 2,00143,100 | 78.9%±1.9 | −2.0 ptsall: 80.9% | |
| 2017age 8 | 4,08951,800 | 76.4%±1.4 | −1.8 ptsall: 78.2% | |
| 2016age 9 | 6,10561,000 | 71.1%±1.2 | −3.8 ptsall: 74.9% | |
| 2015age 10 | 7,30068,200 | 66.3%±1.1 | −5.6 ptsall: 71.9% | |
| 2014age 11 | 1,29675,100 | 62.3%±2.7 | −6.3 ptsall: 68.6% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upDoes mileage matter?
87.7% of Nissan Pulsar tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 55.5% at 90,000 to 119,999 miles. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 86.9% and 68.3%.
| Miles at the test | Tests | Passed first time | Against all vehicles, same age and mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30,000 | 2,078 | 87.7%±1.5 | +0.8 ptsall: 86.9% |
| 30,000–59,999 | 8,108 | 76.9%±1.0 | −2.0 ptsall: 78.9% |
| 60,000–89,999 | 7,095 | 66.2%±1.2 | −6.1 ptsall: 72.2% |
| 90,000–119,999 | 2,610 | 55.5%±2.0 | −12.8 ptsall: 68.3% |
Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Pulsar tests were about average under 30,000 miles and below average at 30,000 to 119,999 miles.
Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Nissan Pulsar tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.
Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. Not shown, with fewer than 1,000 tests: 120,000 or more. 4 tests (under 0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count
Common Pulsar problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.
Most common MOT failures on the Nissan Pulsar
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm ball joint excessively wornSuspension | 20.7%1,265 tests | 5.0% |
| Coil spring fractured or brokenSuspension | 19.7%1,201 tests | 9.9% |
| Track rod end ball joint has excessive playSteering | 13.2%807 tests | 3.4% |
| Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thickBrakes | 11.9%728 tests | 7.7% |
| Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mmTyres | 9.6%583 tests | 8.8% |
| Position lamp not workingLights and electrics | 6.6%402 tests | 4.9% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunctionNoise, emissions, leaks | 5.9%357 tests | 5.9% |
| Suspension arm pin or bush excessively wornSuspension | 4.3%261 tests | 4.4% |
| Rigid brake pipes excessively corrodedBrakes | 4.1%250 tests | 0.9% |
| Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cordsTyres | 3.9%238 tests | 5.2% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Pulsar's failed tests in each year. How we count
What to check when viewing a Pulsar
Suspension
- Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Tyres
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a Pulsar's MOT historyAfter an MOT advisory
Tyres
Of Nissan Pulsar cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.9% failed on tyres, against 5.1% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,731 and 9,054 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 7.3% of those with a tyre advisory and 7.6% of the others.
Brakes
Of Nissan Pulsar cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 11.7% failed on brakes, against 5.2% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 2,441 and 9,347 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 7.9% of those with a brake advisory and 7.4% of the others.
Suspension
Of Nissan Pulsar cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 22.7% failed on suspension, against 13.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 1,296 and 10,496 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 8.0% of those with a suspension advisory and 7.4% of the others.
Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.
How we worked this outAll models compared, with the dataNissan Pulsar questions
Which Nissan Pulsar years have lower MOT pass rates?
Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, these model years have below-average MOT pass rates: 2014–2018. None is clearly above average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.
Is the Nissan Pulsar reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 70.7% of initial MOT tests on Nissan Pulsar cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 74.7%. That is 4.0 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common Nissan Pulsar problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are suspension (in 47.6% of failed tests), brakes (in 25.8% of failed tests) and tyres (in 22.0% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Nissan Pulsar?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Nissan Pulsar cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 68,200 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific Pulsar's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Nissan Pulsar
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Nissan models
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- Nissan X-Trail−3.8 pts against the same-age average
- Nissan Navara−7.5 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
All 12 Nissan modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Nissan Pulsar cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count