2018 Nissan Pulsar MOT pass rate: 86.7% (5,925 tests)
Is the 2018 Pulsar getting worse?
Pass rate of 2018-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 90.3% +2.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 87.4% +1.2 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 82.3% -2.5 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 2018 Pulsar
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 507 | 37.8% |
| 2 | Brakes | 276 | 20.6% |
| 3 | Suspension | 223 | 16.6% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 147 | 11.0% |
| 5 | Visibility | 66 | 4.9% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 38 | 2.8% |
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 | 12,153 | 82.6% | -1.4 pts | 45,101 |
| 2018 (this page) | 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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- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
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FAQs
Is a 2018 Nissan Pulsar reliable?
2018-registered examples passed 86.7% of their MOT tests (5,925 tests, 2023–2025), +0.3 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 8 years old with a median 35,896 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2018 Pulsar?
The median tested example shows 35,896 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 2018 Pulsar?
In this cohort petrols pass 87.8% of tests against 76.5% 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.