2014 Nissan Pathfinder: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder?

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

• Ball joint4.6× usual
  Nissan Pathfinder

  16.6% All 2014 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2% 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints7.2× usual
  Nissan Pathfinder

  10.1% All 2014 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.5% 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.

• Brake lights3.2× usual
  Nissan Pathfinder

  8.2% All 2014 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 2.1% 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.

• Exhaust system2.6× usual
  Nissan Pathfinder

  8.3% All 2014 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 0.9% of all 2014 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.

• Coil springs1.9× usual
  Nissan Pathfinder

  10.7% All 2014 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.8%, against 3% 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.

Common 2014 Nissan Pathfinder MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  38% 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
  27% 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
  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.

• Tyres
  26% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  9% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.2× as often on the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?