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Nissan Pathfinder R51 (2005-2014) reliability

At a glance

Nissan Pathfinder R51 built around 2014: fails its MOT more often than average

Nissan Pathfinder R51 models built around 2014 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view.

Looking at a Nissan Pathfinder R51?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

31% of MOT tests on Nissan Pathfinder R51 models built around 2014 ended in a fail (retests included), against 25% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Nissan Pathfinder R51 models built around 2014 involves the suspension.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2005-2014SUVDIESEL

Based on 6,409 tests of Pathfinder models registered 2005-2014.

About 1 in 7 Pathfinder R51 MOTs (14.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2014 (11 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 552 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 11.8% and 17.7%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 15 Pathfinder R51 MOTs (7.4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2014 (11 years old).

Based on 552 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 5.5% and 9.9%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

R51 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
12628.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
55231.3%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
51333.1%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
65832.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
68129.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
58031.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
61633.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
77834.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
96334.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
68033.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
26233.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 17 years old.

How the Pathfinder R51 compares

At each age below, see how the Pathfinder R51 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 165,310 tests across 15 Nissan models, built around 2014 (11 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateNissan average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
12628.6%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
55231.3%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
51333.1%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
65832.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
68129.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
58031.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
61633.8%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
77834.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
96334.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
68033.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
26233.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Pathfinder R51.

  1. 1

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.7%
    Dangerous
    4.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.6%, against 31.3% for the Nissan Pathfinder R51, both built around 2014.

    1,893 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  2. 2

    Porsche Cayenne

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.2%
    Dangerous
    4.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    84.8%

    Lower fail rate: 13.4%, against 31.3% for the Nissan Pathfinder R51, both built around 2014.

    2,345 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  3. 3

    BMW X5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    14.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4%
    Dangerous
    4.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    86.6%

    Lower fail rate: 14.7%, against 31.3% for the Nissan Pathfinder R51, both built around 2014.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,967 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

  4. 4

    Honda CR-V

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.5%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 16.3%, against 31.3% for the Nissan Pathfinder R51, both built around 2014.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,553 MOT tests on cars built around 2014

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Nissan Pathfinder.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

8 recalls in all

7 of the 8 Pathfinder R51 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 6 more

Top concerns

  • Ball joint may disconnect
  • Seat belts may not perform as expected
  • Driver seat fault

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

How Pathfinder R51 cars have aged

How Pathfinder R51 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%40%791113151719Age at MOTBuilt around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 26.7% (348 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (364 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (344 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 29.6% (321 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 31.0% (326 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 32.1% (365 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (341 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 29.9% (341 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 31.0% (319 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (300 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (374 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (343 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (342 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 35.1% (328 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 33.5% (319 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (610 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (571 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 31.2% (555 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (487 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (466 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 30.1% (458 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 28.5% (438 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 33.6% (438 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (416 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 30.8% (334 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 35.7% (905 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 36.1% (789 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 36.5% (704 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 35.3% (584 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.9% (442 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (758 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (664 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (573 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (430 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 34.2% (313 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (1,410 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (1,209 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 35.8% (931 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 36.1% (736 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (516 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (1,227 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (995 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (777 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (565 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.0% (417 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (625 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (491 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (402 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (309 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 33.2% (262 tests, 2025 data)2005
First registered around 2014First registered around 2013First registered around 2012First registered around 2011
R51 variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Nissan Pathfinders of this age

This list covers every Nissan Pathfinder built around 2014, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the R51 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    29.5%
    Advisory: 222Fail: 66 (23% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.3%
    Advisory: 191Fail: 10 (5% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    9.6%
    Advisory: 75Fail: 3 (4% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    9.4%
    Advisory: 74Fail: 4 (5% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    9.4%
    Advisory: 22Fail: 48 (69% of the times it was found)

Based on 552 tests

Looking at a Nissan Pathfinder R51?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2014 (11 years old), the Nissan Pathfinder R51 (2005-2014) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 552 11-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 6,409 MOT tests on Nissan Pathfinders first registered between 2005-2014. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.