2018 · 6 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2018 Nissan Pulsar MOT pass rate and common faults

2,006 MOT tests in 2024. 84.5% passed first time, compared with 82.5% for all cars the same age.

102Above average
Passed first time84.5%
Failed or needed repairs15.5%
Typical mileage at test36,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,006 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
    92 marked dangerous
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
    46 marked dangerous
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.5%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
  5. Headlamp aim: too low0.7%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn0.6%
  7. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.6%
    19 marked dangerous
  8. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.6%
    13 marked dangerous
  9. Position lamp: not working0.5%
  10. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Tyres6.8%
  2. Lights & electrics4.0%
  3. Brakes3.6%
  4. Suspension2.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)1.4%
  6. Emissions & leaks0.5%
  7. Steering0.5%
  8. Body & chassis0.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.4%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick11.9%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.4%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened4.6%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Nissan Pulsar?

In 2024, 84.5% of 2018 Nissan Pulsar cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,006 tests. The average for all 6-year-old cars was 82.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2018 Nissan Pulsar?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2018 Nissan Pulsar reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).