Large SUV · 2001–2020 cars
Nissan Pathfinder reliability
The Nissan Pathfinder fails 45.5% of first MOT tests, 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 23,195 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Nissan Pathfinder before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 45.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 9% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 23,195
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Nissan Pathfinder ages
Each point is the share of Nissan Pathfinders of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Nissan Pathfinder | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 38.6% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 42.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 40.8% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 43.8% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 44.6% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 46.3% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 48.3% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 48.7% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 46.7% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 46.8% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 41.7% | 43.5% |
| 19 | 40.1% | 43.4% |
By year
The best and worst Nissan Pathfinder years
2005 cars come out best and 2013 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Pathfinder | 1,179 | 38.9% | 28% more fails | 88,463 |
| 2013 Pathfinder | 1,384 | 42.6% | 30% more fails | 89,994 |
| 2012 Pathfinder | 1,419 | 43.3% | 21% more fails | 101,625 |
| 2011 Pathfinder | 2,268 | 41.5% | 7% more fails | 108,866 |
| 2010 Pathfinder | 1,816 | 40.7% | 2% fewer fails | 119,338 |
| 2009 Pathfinder | 2,663 | 50.8% | 19% more fails | 117,997 |
| 2008 Pathfinder | 2,041 | 51.1% | 15% more fails | 124,300 |
| 2007 Pathfinder | 4,202 | 47.7% | 6% more fails | 128,017 |
| 2006 Pathfinder | 3,936 | 46.9% | 3% more fails | 142,953 |
| 2005 Pathfinder | 2,235 | 42.5% | 8% fewer fails | 144,233 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Nissan Pathfinder
Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 126% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics21.4%7% above avg
- Suspension20.6%22% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure16.4%126% above avg
- Brakes10.4%12% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.3%28% above avg
- Steering7.1%90% above avg
- Tyres5.9%26% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks5.1%16% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags3%37% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Position lamp not working 6.31% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 5.14% of tests
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken 5% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 4
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 4.76% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 5
Stop lamp not working 3.97% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 6
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.4% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 7
Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint worn 3.28% of tests
A worn linkage ball joint can rattle, affect handling and eventually fail, so it should be replaced.
- 8
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.14% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Nissan Pathfinder's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.94%
- Brake disc pitted or scored8.97%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive8.67%
- Suspension ball joint slight play8.54%
- Brake pads wearing thin7.95%
- Linkage ball joint slight play7.72%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Nissan Pathfinder
- 1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 2
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
- 3
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 4
Suspension ball joint excessively worn
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Nissan Pathfinder covers about 9,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Diesel99.3%
- Petrol0.7%
- LPG0%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Black, Silver, Grey, Blue, White
Average engine size: 2.5 litres.
Compare
How the Nissan Pathfinder compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Bentley Bentayga | 4.2% | 73% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi Q8 | 7.5% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GL-Class | 17.8% | 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 25.3% | 23% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Tesla Model X | 15.7% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Jeep Wrangler | 26% | 6% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Nissan Pathfinder | 45.5% | 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large suv ranked in the large suv reliability index, or all Nissan models.
Questions
Nissan Pathfinder questions, answered
Is the Nissan Pathfinder reliable?
On MOT results, the Nissan Pathfinder is below average: it fails 45.5% of first MOT tests, 9% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 29 of 30 large suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Nissan Pathfinder MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Nissan Pathfinder are position lamp not working (6.31% of tests), track rod end ball joint excessively worn (5.14% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (5% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 21.4% of its tests.
Which Nissan Pathfinder year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2005 cars do best (8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (30% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Nissan Pathfinder do a year?
A typical Nissan Pathfinder covers about 9,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Nissan Pathfinder before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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