Used car guide · 2014–2018

Nissan Pulsar common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Nissan Pulsar, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 62,640 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

62,640MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
20,880on the UK register
1known fault across all years
2018best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20182017201620152014

What usually goes wrong with a Nissan Pulsar?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

Common Nissan Pulsar MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Ball joint

    up to 3.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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 pipes

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016 and 2018.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015 and 2017.

    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.

Diesel

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 7.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Ball joint

    up to 6.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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 ends

    up to 3.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

    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 joints

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014 and 2015.

    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.

Nissan Pulsar MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2018 Nissan Pulsar did best (84% passed first time, 1 point above all 2018 cars) and the 2014 did worst (63%, 7 points below all 2014 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
201884%83% +15,947
201779%80% -112,216
201674%77% -318,355
201568%74% -622,216
201463%70% -73,906

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Nissan Pulsar

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

  1. How often does it need oil between services, and has there been any engine work?
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the Nissan Pulsar as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the Nissan Pulsar as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the Nissan Pulsar as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Nissan Pulsar?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score