Used car guide

2017 Nissan Pulsar: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Nissan Pulsars, from 4,102 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

4,102MOT tests in 2025
76%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
6,500typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Nissan Pulsars than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Nissan Pulsar
    17.6% All 2017 cars
    10.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 2.1% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
    Nissan Pulsar
    8.8% All 2017 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

  • Ball joint2.9× usual
    Nissan Pulsar
    5.6% All 2017 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.6× usual
    Nissan Pulsar
    4.7% All 2017 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2017 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.

  • Track rod ends2.4× usual
    Nissan Pulsar
    4.8% All 2017 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.9% of all 2017 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.

By area

The share of 2017 Nissan Pulsar MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    28% 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.

  • Suspension
    22% 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
    10% 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
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    3% 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 Pulsar?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20182,002Tyres 29%
20166,118Tyres 31%
20157,306Suspension 37%
20141,295Suspension 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Nissan Pulsars registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score