NISSAN PATHFINDER Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 598 MOT tests from 33 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every NISSAN PATHFINDER has the same fault.

NISSAN PATHFINDER's have a poor reliability rating of 381/999. The score was calculated from the average of every NISSAN PATHFINDER that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the NISSAN PATHFINDER.

NISSAN PATHFINDER (example)

Check a Nissan Pathfinder before you buy

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	381/999Fair	95,205 miles	526 vehicles

How reliable is the NISSAN PATHFINDER?

Based on 598 MOT tests from 33 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

MOT tests

598

Pass rate

74.2%

Median mileage

106,675 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every NISSAN PATHFINDER has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 550 out of 999.

Common NISSAN PATHFINDER MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 121 advisory comments and 14 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 47 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Ball joint wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 26 advisory comments and 11 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn or damaged ball joint. Track rod ends are counted with steering, not here.

What to inspect

Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BALL JOINT HAS SLIGHT PLAY (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 26 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 21 advisory comments and 4 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT HAS SLIGHT PLAY (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 20 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: VEHICLE STRUCTURE IS CORRODED BUT STRUCTURAL RIGIDITY IS NOT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED (6.1.1 (C) (I))

NISSAN PATHFINDER MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2011	7	126	74.6%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	6	123	78.9%	Brake pad wear, Exhaust

What to check when buying a used NISSAN PATHFINDER

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Ball joint wear. Ask for the joint to be checked for play with the suspension loaded and unloaded.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Buying a NISSAN PATHFINDER?

Common problems tell you what can affect NISSAN PATHFINDERs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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