City car · 2009–2013 cars
Nissan Pixo reliability
The Nissan Pixo fails 34.5% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 40,066 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Nissan Pixo before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 34.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 40,066
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 4,600
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Nissan Pixo ages
Each point is the share of Nissan Pixos of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Nissan Pixo | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 27.9% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 26.1% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 29.3% | 31.8% |
| 11 | 31.6% | 34.6% |
| 12 | 34.9% | 37.3% |
| 13 | 36.4% | 39.5% |
| 14 | 38.5% | 41.1% |
| 15 | 39.7% | 42.3% |
By year
The best and worst Nissan Pixo years
2009 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Pixo | 1,640 | 29.1% | 20% more fails | 43,722 |
| 2012 Pixo | 6,132 | 30.9% | 16% more fails | 48,071 |
| 2011 Pixo | 6,740 | 33.1% | 11% more fails | 55,161 |
| 2010 Pixo | 13,764 | 35.7% | 9% more fails | 59,672 |
| 2009 Pixo | 11,790 | 36.7% | 9% more fails | 60,385 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Nissan Pixo
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 86% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics17%35% above avg
- Suspension9.3%14% below avg
- Brakes9%30% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors8.1%62% above avg
- Tyres6.5%14% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure3%15% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.8%40% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.5%86% above avg
- Number plates and VIN0.5%45% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.61% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Stop lamp not working 4.52% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
Position lamp not working 4.15% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 3.54% of tests
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.45% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Horn not working 2.36% of tests
A non-working horn removes a key warning tool for other road users, so it must be repaired before driving.
- 7
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.97% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.89% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Nissan Pixo's MOT certificate most often.
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy19.1%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit14.25%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear14.24%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking11.88%
- Coil spring showing some corrosion8.85%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.12%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Nissan Pixo
- 1
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 2
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
- 3
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.
- 4
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
- 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 Pixo covers about 4,600 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
- Petrol100%
- Diesel0%
Most common colours
Silver, Grey, Red, Black, Blue
Average engine size: 1.0 litres.
Compare
How the Nissan Pixo compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota iQ | 23% | 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Mirage | 18.1% | about average for its age |
| SEAT Mii | 21.4% | about average for its age |
| Nissan Pixo | 34.5% | 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C2 | 47.7% | 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Spark | 44.8% | 46% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Matiz | 49.4% | 50% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Nissan models.
Questions
Nissan Pixo questions, answered
Is the Nissan Pixo reliable?
On MOT results, the Nissan Pixo is below average: it fails 34.5% of first MOT tests, 11% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 22 of 43 city car models in our index.
What fails most on a Nissan Pixo MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Nissan Pixo are wiper blade not clearing windscreen (4.61% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.52% of tests), position lamp not working (4.15% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 17% of its tests.
Which Nissan Pixo year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2009 cars do best (9% more MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2013 cars do worst (20% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Nissan Pixo do a year?
A typical Nissan Pixo covers about 4,600 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 Pixo 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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