Nissan Pixo MOT Failures
An analysis of 320,124 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Pixo — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: K13 (2009–2013).
Where the Nissan Pixo fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Pixo is electrical wiring fault — this model is 47 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 320,124 MOT tests, 0.74% of all Nissan Pixo tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include track rod ends worn (89x the fleet average), suspension component damaged or corroded (22x the fleet average), transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot... (22x the fleet average), and brake pipes corroded (16x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Pixo's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Lights & Electrics, Steering, Suspension, Bodywork, Brakes. If you're inspecting a Nissan Pixo before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Nissan Pixo's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Nissan Pixo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are track rod ends worn (89x the average) and axle or kingpin wear (59x). suspension component damaged or corroded (22x) and headlight fault (18x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Nissan Pixo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are axle or kingpin wear (66x the average) and electrical wiring fault (40x). track rod ends worn (29x) and body panel damage (16x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Nissan Pixo specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are track rod ends worn (45x the average) and suspension component damaged or corroded (13x). electrical wiring fault (9.9x) and emissions failure (8.7x) also appear frequently.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Nissan Pixo specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Subframe mounting point corrosion (K13) Dangerous
MOT data shows structural corrosion in the prescribed areas around suspension mounting points at 11.0x the national fleet average, with failures occurring from as early as 20,000 miles. Affects K13; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£800.
Brake pipe corrosion (K13) Dangerous
Brake pipes corrode at 15.6x the national fleet average, with peak failures at 20,000-40,000 miles. Affects K13; typical independent garage repair cost is £300–£600.
CV joint boot deterioration (K13) Major
Constant velocity joint boots fail at 21.5x the national fleet average, with the highest failure rate occurring at 20,000-40,000 miles. Affects K13; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£250.
Suspension component corrosion (K13) Major
Suspension components suffer excessive damage or corrosion at 21.5x the national fleet average, with failures occurring from 0-20,000 miles. Affects K13; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£600.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Pixo common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Pixo
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Pixo:
Lights & Electrics — check for electrical wiring fault. Steering — check for track rod ends worn. Suspension — check for suspension component damaged or corroded, abs fault, axle or kingpin wear. Bodywork — check for transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot..., body panel damage.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about subframe mounting point corrosion and brake pipe corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £300. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Nissan Pixo?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Nissan Pixo MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Pixo?
Based on 320,124 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is electrical wiring fault — at 47x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include track rod ends worn and suspension component damaged or corroded.
Is the Nissan Pixo reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Pixo has 15 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag subframe mounting point corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Nissan Pixo most commonly fails on track rod ends worn and suspension component damaged or corroded. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are track rod ends worn and axle or kingpin wear.
How do I check a Nissan Pixo's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.