MOT failure data · 2025

Nissan Pathfinder MOT problems

Across every Nissan Pathfinder that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was ball joint ball joint excessively worn, on 7.82% of failure items. The broadest problem area was suspension at 27.14%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Nissan Pathfinder MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Ball joint ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	7.82%
2	Coil spring fractured or broken	Suspension	4.68%
3	Track rod end ball joint has excessive play	Steering	4.31%
4	Linkage ball joints ball joint excessively worn	Suspension	4.19%
5	Position lamp not working	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	4%
6	Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Body, chassis, structure	3.39%
7	Exhaust system has a major leak of exhaust gases	Body, chassis, structure	2.89%
8	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	2.65%
9	Chassis condition corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced	Body, chassis, structure	2.35%
10	Wheel bearings has excessive play	Suspension	2.02%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Nissan Pathfinder, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Nissan Pathfinder buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Nissan Pathfinder?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Nissan models

Nissan Pathfinder MOT FAQs

What does a Nissan Pathfinder most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Nissan Pathfinder cars failing their 2025 MOT was "ball joint ball joint excessively worn", appearing on 7.82% of failure items.

Does this mean my Nissan Pathfinder will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Nissan Pathfinder that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Nissan Pathfinder passed 61.76% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Nissan Pathfinder's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.