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Nissan Pulsar Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)

Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Nissan Pulsar (2014–2018).

MOT Pass Rate

80.2%1.8% below national avg (82%)

Reliability rating: Good — based on approx. 12,000 tests

Dangerous Defects

1.70%

Moderate risk

Retest Rate

13.2%

of failed tests need a retest

Top MOT Failure Categories

1

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment

Est. repair: £40–£200

15.5%
2

Suspension

Est. repair: £120–£450

13.8%
3

Brakes

Est. repair: £100–£350

12.0%
4

Tyres

Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre

10.2%
5

Exhaust, fuel and emissions

Est. repair: £40–£200

7.8%

Where Faults Occur

31.0%

Front

28.0%

Rear

20.0%

Offside

Mileage Benchmarks

At 3 years

22,000 mi

At 5 years

38,000 mi

At 10 years

N/A

Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.

Is a Nissan Pulsar a Good Buy?

The Nissan Pulsar demonstrates above-average reliability based on MOT test data, with a 80.2% pass rate. This places it 1.8% above the national average, suggesting lower ongoing maintenance costs compared to many competitors.

While no car is without faults, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues are the most common concern, affecting approximately 15.5% of failed tests. These tend to be relatively affordable to fix at £30–£150.

Nissan Pulsar MOT Check & History

View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Nissan Pulsar.

View Nissan Pulsar MOT Data

Check a Specific Nissan Pulsar

Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Nissan Pulsar.

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Other Nissan Models

Nissan Qashqai

80.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Nissan Juke

79.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Nissan Micra

77.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Nissan Note

78.8%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Nissan X-Trail

79.2%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

Nissan Leaf

88.5%

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →

View all Nissan models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common MOT faults on a Nissan Pulsar?
The top MOT failure on the Nissan Pulsar is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, accounting for approximately 15.5% of all failures. Other common issues include suspension and brakes.
What is the Nissan Pulsar MOT pass rate?
The Nissan Pulsar has an estimated MOT pass rate of 80.2%, which is 1.8% below the national average of 82%. This rates the Nissan Pulsar as "Good" for MOT reliability.
Is the Nissan Pulsar reliable?
Based on DVSA MOT data, the Nissan Pulsar has a good reliability record with a 80.2% pass rate. It has a dangerous defect rate of 1.70% and a retest rate of 13.2%.
How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Pulsar MOT failures?
Typical repair costs for Nissan Pulsar MOT failures range from £30–£200 for lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues to £120–£450 for suspension problems. Prices are estimates based on typical UK independent garage rates.
What mileage should a Nissan Pulsar have?
Based on MOT test data, the average Nissan Pulsar covers approximately 22,000 mi by 3 years, 38,000 mi by 5 years, and N/A by 10 years. Significantly higher or lower mileage may warrant closer inspection.
Should I buy a used Nissan Pulsar?
The Nissan Pulsar is generally a solid choice based on MOT data. Check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before purchasing, paying particular attention to lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues and mileage consistency.
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