Used car guide

2012 Nissan Pixo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Nissan Pixos, from 1,732 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,732MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
4,200typical miles a year
4.4×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Nissan Pixos than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Rigid brake pipes4.4× usual
    Nissan Pixo
    24.2% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 0.8% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
    Nissan Pixo
    19.1% All 2012 cars
    10.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Wipers2.5× usual
    Nissan Pixo
    7.2% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

  • Ball joint dust cover2× usual
    Nissan Pixo
    5.8% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.2% of all 2012 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 bearings2.1× usual
    Nissan Pixo
    3.1% All 2012 cars
    1.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.6% of all 2012 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3% here, against 7.3% of all 2012 cars. Shock absorbers: 2.4% here, against 6.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Nissan Pixo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    37% 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.

  • Suspension
    37% 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.

  • Tyres
    31% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    27% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    7% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Nissan Pixo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20111,861Suspension 41%
20103,642Suspension 43%
20093,065Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Nissan Pixos registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score