2017 Nissan Pulsar MOT pass rate: 82.6% (12,153 tests)
Is the 2017 Pulsar getting worse?
Pass rate of 2017-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 85.7% -0.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 82.6% -1.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 79.5% -2.9 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2017 Pulsar
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 990 | 25.8% |
| 2 | Tyres | 885 | 23.1% |
| 3 | Suspension | 821 | 21.4% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 338 | 8.8% |
| 5 | Steering | 279 | 7.3% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 213 | 5.6% |
All Pulsar years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3,898 | 66.9% | -9.0 pts | 69,182 |
| 2015 | 22,123 | 71.5% | -7.2 pts | 62,200 |
| 2016 | 18,272 | 77.5% | -3.8 pts | 54,209 |
| 2017 (this page) | 12,153 | 82.6% | -1.4 pts | 45,101 |
| 2018 | 5,925 | 86.7% | +0.3 pts | 35,896 |
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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FAQs
Is a 2017 Nissan Pulsar reliable?
2017-registered examples passed 82.6% of their MOT tests (12,153 tests, 2023–2025), -1.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 9 years old with a median 45,101 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2017 Pulsar?
The median tested example shows 45,101 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2017 Pulsar?
In this cohort petrols pass 84.3% of tests against 75.9% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.