2010 Nissan Pathfinder — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,194 MOT tests, the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder recorded a 72.0% pass rate. That is 3.7 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.9%) and suspension (15.2%) 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 coil spring — ball joint alone was recorded 338 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 31.7% versus 14.3%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 28.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 509 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.2% | 486 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 313 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.1% | 226 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 204 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.3% | 170 |
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 | 338 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 226 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 209 |
| 4 | Joints | 197 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 168 |
| 6 | Washers | 152 |
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 | 28.1% | 897 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.8% | 793 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 699 |
| 4 | Tyres | 21.2% | 678 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.4% | 460 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.5% | 400 |
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 | 91 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 431 | 21.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,130 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 898 | 29.4% |
| 150k+ | 622 | 31.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 697 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 681 | 26.4% |
| 2023 | 668 | 29.0% |
| 2024 | 624 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 524 | 28.2% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Pathfinder
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.2% 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 (9.8% 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 2010 Nissan Pathfinders pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 3,194 2010 Nissan Pathfinder MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (15.2%).
Does the 2010 Pathfinder get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.3% in the 30-60k band to 31.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,194 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.