Nissan Pulsar: what fails at MOT
28,000 MOT tests on the Nissan Pulsar in 2024, counted. 26.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
26.7% of Nissan Pulsar tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 21.6%, so the Pulsar does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (8.5% of tests), brakes (5.3% of tests) and tyres (4.9% of tests). It fails on suspension, brakes and steering more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 2,718 | 15.2% | 15.6% | 36,200 25,100 to 49,400 |
| 2017 | 5,478 | 20.5% | 18.2% | 45,800 32,700 to 61,300 |
| 2016 | 8,253 | 25.7% | 21.3% | 54,500 39,800 to 71,700 |
| 2015 | 9,923 | 32.2% | 24.4% | 63,100 46,700 to 80,700 |
| 2014 | 1,782 | 37.0% | 27.7% | 70,100 53,000 to 90,200 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Nissan Pulsar tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Pulsar | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension More than most | 8.5% | 3.9% |
| Brakes More than most | 5.3% | 3.2% |
| Tyres | 4.9% | 4.2% |
| Lights and electrics | 4.0% | 4.6% |
| Steering More than most | 2.8% | 0.9% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.5% | 2.4% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.5% | 1.4% |
| Body and structure | 0.5% | 1.1% |
The parts that fail most
- Ball joint4.7%
- Coil spring2.9%
- Track rod end2.7%
- Tyre2.7%
- Brake pads2.4%
- Tyre tread2.3%
- Side light1.3%
- Headlamp aim1.2%
- Engine warning light1.1%
- Brake test1.0%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Ball joint: excessively worn4.4%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.9%
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.5%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.3%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
- Side light: not working1.2%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.1%
- Brake pipes: excessively corroded0.9%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge14.2%
- Brake pads: wearing thin10.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing6.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.5%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.2%
- Ball joint: has slight play2.8%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any play, knocking or stiffness in the steering?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Nissan Pulsar's own MOT record
Looking at a Pulsar? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.