2011 Nissan Pathfinder — MOT failures & pass rate
4,219 MOT tests on the 2011 Nissan Pathfinder are in this dataset, and 72.4% of them passed. That is 4.5 percentage points worse than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 23.1%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (15.0%) and lighting & signalling (13.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, coil spring and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 416 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.7% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 30.1% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 29.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.0% | 631 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 583 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 340 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.5% | 275 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.2% | 261 |
| 6 | Steering | 5.0% | 209 |
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 | 416 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 386 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 219 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 207 |
| 5 | Washers | 196 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joints | 193 |
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 | 29.4% | 1,241 |
| 2 | Brakes | 23.4% | 989 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.8% | 919 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 776 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 508 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 421 |
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 | 217 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 915 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,570 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,014 | 29.1% |
| 150k+ | 489 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 903 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 873 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 866 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 811 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 766 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Pathfinder
On a 2011 Pathfinder, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (15.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.1% 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 2011 Nissan Pathfinders pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 4,219 2011 Nissan Pathfinder MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Nissan Pathfinder?
Suspension, recorded in 15.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (13.8%).
Does the 2011 Pathfinder get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.7% in the 30-60k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,219 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.