Used car guide

2009 Nissan Pathfinder: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Nissan Pathfinders, from 510 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

510MOT tests in 2025
54%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
7,700typical miles a year
8.6×the usual rate for chassis rust or damage

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Nissan Pathfinders than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Chassis rust or damage8.6× usual
    Nissan Pathfinder
    14.7% All 2009 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 0.5% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Ball joint2.7× usual
    Nissan Pathfinder
    17.5% All 2009 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.5%, against 3.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Wheel bearings4.8× usual
    Nissan Pathfinder
    10.6% All 2009 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 0.8% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints3× usual
    Nissan Pathfinder
    12.5% All 2009 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.6% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Exhaust system1.9× usual
    Nissan Pathfinder
    15.9% All 2009 cars
    8.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 4.5% here, against 15.6% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Nissan Pathfinder MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    46% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    41% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    22% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Nissan Pathfinder?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2011602Suspension 49%
2007727Suspension 48%
2006656Suspension 52%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Nissan Pathfinders registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score