Pulse Xf Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Pulse Xf car check
Is the Pulse Xf reliable? We analysed 3,107 real MOT tests across 774 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Pulse Xf? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Pulse Xf is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Pulse Xf.
Pulse Xf Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Pulse Xf. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Pulse Xf MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Pulse Xf to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Pulse Xf Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Pulse Xf fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Pulse Xf Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Pulse Xf models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Pulse Xf Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Pulse Xf owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Pulse Xf MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Pulse Xf year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 654 | 67.7% | 4,713 | 9,438 | 15,942 |
| 2014 | 1,606 | 68.2% | 4,647 | 9,638 | 15,435 |
| 2013 | 536 | 65.9% | 4,524 | 8,668 | 13,554 |
| 2012 | 197 | 63.5% | 2,756 | 7,936 | 11,564 |
| 2011 | 65 | 67.7% | 7,592 | 10,548 | 15,542 |
How Long Does a Pulse Xf Last?
Based on 774 Pulse Xf vehicles on UK roads.
Pulse Xf Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Pulse Xf 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 Pulse Xf
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
68.2% MOT pass rate from 1,606 tests
63.5% MOT pass rate from 197 tests
The best year to buy a used Pulse Xf is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 68.2% across 1,606 tests. The 2012 model year has the lowest pass rate at 63.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Pulse Xf Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pulse Xf THIS CAR | 67.4% | 3,107 | 9,254 mi | 14 yrs |
| Pulse Bt 49 QT-9D1 | 75.3% | 4,311 | 5,311 mi | 17 yrs |
| Pulse Xf 125 GY-2B Adrenaline | 66.3% | 3,819 | 9,742 mi | 17 yrs |
| Pulse Bt | 75.2% | 2,606 | 4,496 mi | 15 yrs |
| Saab 9-3 Vector Sport Tid Auto | 76.5% | 2,900 | 93,579 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Pulse Bt 49 QT-9D1 (75.3% pass rate) and the Pulse Xf 125 GY-2B Adrenaline (66.3% pass rate), the Pulse Xf sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Pulse Xf 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 Pulse XfShould you buy a used Pulse Xf?
The Pulse Xf has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.4% across 3,107 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common failure point is shock absorber seal failed and leaking oil with 43 recorded occurrences. Check for this on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth is below minimum requirements of 1.0mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Pulse Xf with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Pulse Xf owner drives around 1,736 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 Pulse Xf models stay on UK roads for around 14 years. 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.