Used car guide

2014 Nissan Pulsar: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2014 Nissan Pulsars, from 1,295 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,295MOT tests in 2025

62%pass first time (all 2014 cars: 69%)

7,000typical miles a year

3.8×the usual rate for ball joint

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2014 Nissan Pulsars than on all cars registered in 2014.

Ball joint3.8× usual

Nissan Pulsar
16.1% All 2014 cars
4.2%

Failed outright at MOT: 11%, against 2.3% of all 2014 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.
Track rod ends2.7× usual

Nissan Pulsar
12.1% All 2014 cars
4.5%

Failed outright at MOT: 8.3%, against 2.3% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Rigid brake pipes3× usual

Nissan Pulsar
10.9% All 2014 cars
3.6%

Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.5% of all 2014 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.
Coil springs2× usual

Nissan Pulsar
13.3% All 2014 cars
6.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 9.7%, against 3.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.
Sidelights2.2× usual

Nissan Pulsar
6.2% All 2014 cars
2.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.4% of all 2014 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Better than most

Shock absorbers: 1.7% here, against 5.7% of all 2014 cars.

By area

The share of 2014 Nissan Pulsar MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

44% 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.
Brakes

36% 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

34% 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

16% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

5% 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.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Looking at a Nissan Pulsar?

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2018	2,002	Tyres 29%
2017	4,102	Tyres 28%
2016	6,118	Tyres 31%
2015	7,306	Suspension 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2014 Nissan Pulsars registered in 2014. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score