Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Nissan Pixo?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 Nissan Pixo?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 Nissan Pixo?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 Nissan Pixo vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

40% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 Nissan Pixo reliable?

Based on MOT data from 4,622 vehicles, the 2009 Nissan Pixo has a first-time MOT pass rate of 78.4%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Nissan Pixo?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Nissan Pixo are: Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (49.5% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (48.7% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (44.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Nissan Pixo?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Nissan Pixo (2009)

4,622 real MOT outcomes analysed • 78.4% first-time pass rate

2009 Nissan Pixo

CarHunch analysed 4,622 real MOT records for the 2009 Nissan Pixo. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 Nissan Pixo's first-time MOT pass rate of 78.3% sits slightly below the UK average of 80%, which is a modest concern—but the real red flag is that nearly 40% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd typically expect. This suggests that while most pass their MOT, reliability issues can emerge suddenly and seriously.

These Pixos average 45,500 miles for their age, which is reasonable, but the typical car racks up 3.6 failures and 21.7 advisories over its lifetime—a substantial number that points to recurring wear and weakness across multiple systems. Before buying one, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks the braking system, suspension, and steering components, since dangerous defects usually concentrate in these areas on this model.

The 2009 Nissan Pixo has a decent first-time pass rate (78.4%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

78.4%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

39.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

3.62

Over 15.8 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

43k

Middle half: 30k–58k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 21.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 4,622 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 4,622 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 49.5%

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Tyre wear 48.7%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 39.6%

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded · Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement · …

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 4,622 Nissan Pixo cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Nissan Pixo

Based on MOT data from 4,622 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 39.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	4,617	78.4%	3.62

Colour Breakdown

Based on 14,400 Nissan Pixo vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 28.4%

4,086

Grey 22.2%

3,204

Red 15.6%

2,242

Black 14.6%

2,108

Blue 11%

1,585

White 6.7%

963

Purple 1.5%

212

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Nissan Pixo vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

43,035

typical

29,523

low mileage

58,350

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Nissan Pixo vehicles fall between 29,523 and 58,350 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 29,523 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 29,523–58,350 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Nissan Pixos sit.

⚠ Over 78,772 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Nissan Pixo — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 67% of 2009 Nissan Pixos are still active.

2,974 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 67% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

15.8

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

3.62

Avg failures per vehicle

21.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Nissan Pixo: All Pixo years → Which year to buy? →

2010 2011 2012 2013

Or browse all models: Nissan →

Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Nissan Pixo stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing