Used car guide

2013 Nissan Pixo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Nissan Pixos, from 473 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 473 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

473MOT tests in 2025

68%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)

4,300typical miles a year

3.5×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Nissan Pixos than on all cars registered in 2013.

Rigid brake pipes3.5× usual

Nissan Pixo
16.3% All 2013 cars
4.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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 joints2.2× usual

Nissan Pixo
18.8% All 2013 cars
8.7%

Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.8% of all 2013 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.
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual

Nissan Pixo
7.8% All 2013 cars
3.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Wipers2.5× usual

Nissan Pixo
7% All 2013 cars
2.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 1.8% of all 2013 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 cover2.4× usual

Nissan Pixo
6.3% All 2013 cars
2.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 1.1% of all 2013 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.

Better than most

Brake pads: 4.9% here, against 9.8% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Nissan Pixo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

35% 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

32% 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.
Brakes

28% 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.
Lights and electrics

23% 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

12% 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

8% 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

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2012	1,732	Suspension 37%
2011	1,861	Suspension 41%
2010	3,642	Suspension 43%
2009	3,065	Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Nissan Pixos registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score