2008 Nissan Pathfinder — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,860 MOT tests, the 2008 Nissan Pathfinder recorded a 68.4% pass rate. That is 5.5 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (17.8%) and suspension (17.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, position lamp and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 407 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 34.7% versus 15.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 33.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.7% in 2021 to 29.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 688 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.4% | 670 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.1% | 582 |
| 4 | Brakes | 8.9% | 343 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.9% | 268 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.8% | 224 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 407 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 329 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 268 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 216 |
| 5 | Wheel bearings | 213 |
| 6 | Joints | 206 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 33.7% | 1,299 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.2% | 1,089 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.8% | 1,034 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.9% | 882 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.6% | 681 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.4% | 516 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 70 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 376 | 26.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,284 | 30.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,335 | 32.8% |
| 150k+ | 779 | 34.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,050 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 928 | 31.6% |
| 2023 | 804 | 32.6% |
| 2024 | 618 | 31.6% |
| 2025 | 460 | 29.8% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Pathfinder
On a 2008 Pathfinder, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Body, structure & corrosion (15.1% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2008 Nissan Pathfinders pass their MOT?
68.4% of the 3,860 2008 Nissan Pathfinder MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Nissan Pathfinder?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by suspension (17.4%).
Does the 2008 Pathfinder get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.7% in the 30-60k band to 34.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,860 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.