Car statistics
How many Nissan Pulsars are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 20,884 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 19,775 Nissan Pulsars licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 373 declared off the road (SORN). That is 5.7% fewer than the peak of 20,967 in 2019.
The highest year-end count was 20,967 in 2019.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 26 |
| 2003 | 41 |
| 2004 | 48 |
| 2005 | 67 |
| 2006 | 53 |
| 2007 | 51 |
| 2008 | 45 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 35 |
| 2011 | 26 |
| 2012 | 17 |
| 2013 | 13 |
| 2014 | 1,413 |
| 2015 | 8,778 |
| 2016 | 15,365 |
| 2017 | 19,258 |
| 2018 | 20,745 |
| 2019 | 20,967 |
| 2020 | 20,860 |
| 2021 | 20,926 |
| 2022 | 20,764 |
| 2023 | 20,499 |
| 2024 | 20,182 |
| 2025 | 19,917 |
| 2026 | 19,775 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
In 2025, 70.7% of Nissan Pulsar MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Nissan Pulsars tested pass 75.6% of the time, so the Nissan Pulsar does worse than average for its age, by 4.9 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 72.9%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Nissan Pulsar | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 6–7 years | 78.9% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 70.3% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 62.8% | 65.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Suspension is the most common reason a Nissan Pulsar fails its MOT, appearing on 47.6% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 8.7% of Nissan Pulsar tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 47.6% |
| Brakes | 25.8% |
| Tyres | 22.0% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.5% |
| Steering | 14.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.1% |
| Visibility | 7.2% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Nissan Pulsar failed its MOT in 2025 was “Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn”, on 20.7% of 6,113 failed tests. 53.9% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 20.7% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 19.6% |
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play Steering | 13.2% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 11.9% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 9.5% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.6% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.8% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 4.3% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded Brakes | 4.1% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 3.9% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 18.9% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 13.9% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 9.0% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 8.5% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 8.5% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 5.1% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.9% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint has slight play Suspension | 3.7% |
| Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt Non-component advisories | 2.8% |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes | 2.4% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
5 years of the Nissan Pulsar, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2017 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (76.4% passed first time) and the 2014 cars worst (62.3%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1,443 | 1,308 | 62.3% |
| 2015 | 8,128 | 7,390 | 66.3% |
| 2016 | 6,645 | 6,119 | 71.1% |
| 2017 | 4,187 | 4,089 | 76.4% |
| 2018 | 2,032 | 1,973 | 78.9% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered. Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Nissan Pulsar covers 6,732 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 6–7 years | 6,767 |
| 8–10 years | 6,730 |
| 11–14 years | 6,820 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Nissan Pulsars for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 8,031 in 2015. In 2025, 0 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 1 |
| ’02 | 30 |
| ’03 | 24 |
| ’04 | 11 |
| ’05 | 31 |
| ’06 | 12 |
| ’07 | 5 |
| ’08 | 4 |
| ’09 | 0 |
| ’10 | 0 |
| ’11 | 0 |
| ’12 | 0 |
| ’13 | 0 |
| ’14 | 1,404 |
| ’15 | 8,031 |
| ’16 | 6,572 |
| ’17 | 4,255 |
| ’18 | 2,028 |
| ’19 | 6 |
| ’20 | 4 |
| ’21 | 7 |
| ’22 | 0 |
| ’23 | 3 |
| ’24 | 5 |
| ’25 | 0 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 20,534 Nissan Pulsars licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 65.5% have an engine of 1,101cc to 1,200cc, and 31.6% have an engine of 1,401cc to 1,500cc. The share with an engine of 1,401cc to 1,500cc has fallen from 44.9% in 2014 to 31.6%. Diesels made up 44.8% of those licensed in 2014 and 31.6% in 2025.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,101cc to 1,200cc 13,451 licensed | 65.5% |
| 1,401cc to 1,500cc 6,490 licensed | 31.6% |
| 1,601cc to 1,700cc 586 licensed | 2.9% |
| Other sizes 7 licensed | 0.0% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,101–1,200cc | Petrol | 13,450 | 65.5% |
| 1,401–1,500cc | Diesel | 6,489 | 31.6% |
| 1,601–1,700cc | Petrol | 586 | 2.9% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,101–1,200cc | 1,401–1,500cc | 1,601–1,700cc |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 54.1% | 44.9% | 0.0% |
| 2015 | 61.5% | 36.3% | 2.1% |
| 2016 | 59.1% | 37.6% | 3.3% |
| 2017 | 63.0% | 33.9% | 3.1% |
| 2018 | 65.5% | 31.6% | 2.8% |
| 2019 | 65.5% | 31.7% | 2.8% |
| 2020 | 65.4% | 31.8% | 2.8% |
| 2021 | 65.7% | 31.5% | 2.8% |
| 2022 | 65.7% | 31.4% | 2.8% |
| 2023 | 65.7% | 31.4% | 2.8% |
| 2024 | 65.6% | 31.5% | 2.9% |
| 2025 | 65.5% | 31.6% | 2.9% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 55.2% | 44.8% |
| 2015 | 63.7% | 36.3% |
| 2016 | 62.4% | 37.6% |
| 2017 | 66.1% | 33.9% |
| 2018 | 68.4% | 31.6% |
| 2019 | 68.3% | 31.7% |
| 2020 | 68.2% | 31.8% |
| 2021 | 68.6% | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 68.6% | 31.4% |
| 2023 | 68.6% | 31.4% |
| 2024 | 68.5% | 31.5% |
| 2025 | 68.4% | 31.6% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Nissan Pulsar from 2015 to 2018. On the NEDC test (listings 2015 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 47.9 to 78.5 mpg, with CO2 of 94 to 138 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 petrol | 54.3–56.5 | 117–127 | 2015–2018 | Euro 5 to Euro 6 | 7 |
| 1.6 petrol | 47.9–49.5 | 121–138 | 2016–2018 | Euro 6 | 5 |
| 1.5 diesel | 74.3–78.5 | 94–98 | 2015–2018 | Euro 5 to Euro 6 | 3 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 3 safety recalls for the Nissan Pulsar since 1992, the first in 2016. The most recent was launched on 14 August 2020.
All 3 Nissan Pulsar recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Nissan Pulsar. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pulsar | 19,775 | −1.6% | 373 | 240 | Petrol |
| Nissan Qashqai | 684,098 | +2.8% | 15,583 | 5 | Petrol |
| Nissan Juke | 406,533 | +5.7% | 7,072 | 14 | Petrol |
| Nissan Micra | 217,291 | −6.3% | 38,424 | 36 | Petrol |
| Nissan Note | 135,188 | −5.0% | 5,004 | 69 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 20,148 Pulsar records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 20,884 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
