2009 Nissan Pathfinder — MOT failures & pass rate
4,958 MOT tests on the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder are in this dataset, and 68.2% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (25.2% fail rate), the 2009 Pathfinder comes out 6.7pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (18.1%) 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 512 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.7% in the 30-60k band and 33.8% in the 150k+ band, a 17.2-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.1% in 2021 to 28.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.1% | 899 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.4% | 864 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.8% | 683 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.4% | 467 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 348 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.8% | 339 |
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 | 512 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 451 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 349 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 307 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 294 |
| 6 | Joints | 276 |
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 | 31.8% | 1,574 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.4% | 1,408 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 26.1% | 1,293 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.6% | 1,119 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.5% | 816 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 729 |
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 | 174 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 750 | 30.0% |
| 90-120k | 1,838 | 32.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,483 | 33.2% |
| 150k+ | 689 | 33.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,254 | 32.1% |
| 2022 | 1,158 | 31.8% |
| 2023 | 1,048 | 33.1% |
| 2024 | 855 | 32.2% |
| 2025 | 643 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Pathfinder
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% 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 (13.8% 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 2009 Nissan Pathfinders pass their MOT?
68.2% of the 4,958 2009 Nissan Pathfinder MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Nissan Pathfinder?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by suspension (17.4%).
Does the 2009 Pathfinder get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 30-60k band to 33.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,958 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.