Nissan Pathfinder Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Nissan Pathfinder car check
Is the Nissan Pathfinder reliable? We analysed 195,724 real MOT tests across 11,958 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Nissan Pathfinder? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Nissan Pathfinder is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Nissan Pathfinder.
Nissan Pathfinder Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Nissan Pathfinder. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Nissan Pathfinder MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Nissan Pathfinder to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Nissan Pathfinder Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Nissan Pathfinder fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Nissan Pathfinder Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Nissan Pathfinder models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Nissan Pathfinder Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Nissan Pathfinder owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Nissan Pathfinder MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Nissan Pathfinder year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 50 | 86.0% | 29,152 | 40,292 | 60,142 |
| 2014 | 4,227 | 75.7% | 50,581 | 72,476 | 99,127 |
| 2013 | 5,606 | 74.2% | 47,382 | 71,253 | 96,886 |
| 2012 | 6,422 | 73.2% | 49,817 | 76,007 | 106,191 |
| 2011 | 11,317 | 73.4% | 54,953 | 81,998 | 111,281 |
| 2010 | 9,984 | 72.3% | 59,594 | 89,676 | 119,052 |
| 2009 | 18,789 | 68.9% | 56,638 | 84,849 | 113,040 |
| 2008 | 17,578 | 69.6% | 58,983 | 88,996 | 118,463 |
| 2007 | 42,034 | 70.3% | 59,150 | 89,022 | 118,546 |
| 2006 | 47,444 | 69.9% | 64,027 | 96,703 | 130,920 |
| 2005 | 30,973 | 70.7% | 65,872 | 98,510 | 132,078 |
| 2004 | 190 | 70.0% | 53,847 | 81,384 | 116,195 |
| 2002 | 64 | 76.6% | 74,902 | 111,217 | 140,576 |
| 2001 | 100 | 67.0% | 56,380 | 84,373 | 114,346 |
| 2000 | 66 | 62.1% | 104,785 | 121,642 | 171,005 |
How Long Does a Nissan Pathfinder Last?
Based on 11,958 Nissan Pathfinder vehicles on UK roads.
Nissan Pathfinder Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Nissan Pathfinder MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Nissan Pathfinder
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
86.0% MOT pass rate from 50 tests
62.1% MOT pass rate from 66 tests
The best year to buy a used Nissan Pathfinder is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.0% across 50 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Nissan Pathfinder Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pathfinder THIS CAR | 70.7% | 195,724 | 89,976 mi | 21 yrs |
| Nissan Micra | 71.4% | 10,566,512 | 55,214 mi | 37 yrs |
| Nissan Qashqai | 77.3% | 6,506,323 | 59,398 mi | 19 yrs |
| Nissan Juke | 79.3% | 3,002,435 | 49,593 mi | 16 yrs |
| Mazda Bongo | 67.3% | 251,584 | 130,222 mi | 31 yrs |
Compared to the Nissan Micra (71.4% pass rate) and the Nissan Qashqai (77.3% pass rate), the Nissan Pathfinder trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Nissan Pathfinder you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Nissan PathfinderShould you buy a used Nissan Pathfinder?
The Nissan Pathfinder has an overall MOT pass rate of 70.7% across 195,724 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Nissan Pathfinder are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4,402 recorded failures), suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (4,219), and brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3,979). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Nissan Pathfinder with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Nissan Pathfinder owner drives around 7,848 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Nissan Pathfinder models stay on UK roads for around 21 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.