2010 Nissan Pixo — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2010 Nissan Pixo passed 79.0% of its 25,115 recorded MOT tests. Against city cars of a similar age (24.2% fail rate), the 2010 Pixo comes out 3.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.2% of all tests — 6.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, wipers and stop lamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 1,621 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.9% in the 0-30k band and 28.9% in the 150k+ band, a 17.0-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 33.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 19.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 3,578 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.8% | 1,972 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.4% | 1,850 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.5% | 1,632 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.5% | 1,369 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 610 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,621 |
| 2 | Wipers | 1,336 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 1,216 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,117 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 826 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 797 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 33.6% | 8,435 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.9% | 8,264 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.2% | 7,080 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.1% | 3,283 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 2,469 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.0% | 2,254 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 2,877 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 9,752 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 8,169 | 23.7% |
| 90-120k | 3,335 | 26.0% |
| 120-150k | 793 | 28.1% |
| 150k+ | 187 | 28.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,293 | 19.2% |
| 2022 | 5,260 | 19.6% |
| 2023 | 5,155 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 4,868 | 22.3% |
| 2025 | 4,539 | 22.6% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Pixo
On a 2010 Pixo, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (7.8% 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.
- Brakes (7.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 Pixos pass their MOT?
79.0% of the 25,115 2010 Nissan Pixo MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Nissan Pixo?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by suspension (7.8%).
Does the 2010 Pixo get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 28.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 25,115 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.