Free Buyer’s Guide

2015 Nissan Pulsar

A simple guide for buyers with no car knowledge. Do most of the work from home, on the phone. Only go and see the car if you like what you hear. The decision is always yours.

The free guide is below. The full guide is made for this car after you pay.

Which 2015 Pulsar is it?

A 2015 Pulsar can be either series. Ask the seller which one it is. The Pulsar came as a hatch and a sedan, so check which body it is.

Ask the seller: "Is this the 2013 to 2015 series (C12.I) or the 2015 to 2016 series (C12.II), and which engine does it have?"

Safety rating

ANCAP rated the Pulsar sedan 5 stars. Six airbags and stability control were standard. A review site says the hatch result was carried over from the sedan. We could not find the ANCAP page for this model. Look it up on the ANCAP website before you rely on it.

The big-money items

You can’t see inside these parts, but you can ask about them.

• CVT automatic gearbox 1.8L MRA8DE WITH CVT. REPORTS DO NOT RULE THE TURBO CVT IN OR OUT.

  $$$ (over $2,000)

  A CVT is an automatic gearbox with no fixed gears. Owners report shuddering, lag, clunking and some replacements, mostly near 100,000 km.

  Ask: "Has the CVT had its oil changed, and can I see the records?"

• Timing chain stretch MR16DDT 1.6L TURBO ENGINE

  $$ ($500 to $2,000)

  The timing chain keeps the engine's valves in time. One engine seller lists chain stretch as a complaint on this engine.

  Ask: "How often was the engine oil changed, and can I see the records?"

• Turbo wear and carbon build-up MR16DDT 1.6L TURBO ENGINE

  $$ ($500 to $2,000)

  The turbo is a part that forces extra air into the engine. The same seller lists turbo wear and carbon deposits on the intake valves.

  Ask: "Has the turbo or the intake side of the engine ever been looked at or cleaned?"

Regular maintenance

Look for these on the service invoices.

• Engine oil

  Fresh oil keeps the engine parts moving smoothly

  As shown in the logbook

• Spark plugs

  They light the fuel in each part of the engine

  As shown in the logbook

• Brake fluid

  The fluid that carries your foot push to the brakes

  Every 2 years (our guide)

• Coolant

  The liquid that keeps the engine from getting too hot

  As shown in the logbook

• Gearbox oil

  The oil inside the gearbox. This is CVT fluid on a CVT car.

  As shown in the logbook

• Air filter

  It cleans the air going into the engine

  As shown in the logbook

• Tyres

  The only part of the car that touches the road

  Replace at 6 years old, even with good tread (our guide). Alignment every 10,000 to 15,000 km (our guide)

• Battery

  It starts the engine and runs the electrics

  Most last about 3 to 5 years

Questions to ask on this Pulsar

These are for this model. The full list of questions, with tick boxes, is in the PDF.

• "Which engine and gearbox does it have: 1.8 or turbo, manual or CVT?"

  Good answer: A clear answer that matches the badge on the car and the logbook.

  Why: Each engine and gearbox has different things to watch for.

• "Can I see every service record, especially for the CVT oil and engine oil?"

  Good answer: A logbook or invoices with dates and kilometres.

  Why: Records show how the car was looked after. Owners say Nissan's help sometimes depended on them.

• "Does it shudder, hesitate or clunk when pulling away from a stop?"

  Good answer: No. It pulls away smoothly every time.

  Why: These are the signs owners report on the CVT.

Words you might see on an invoice

CVT service or fluid change

The oil in the automatic gearbox was replaced.

TCM or valve body

The gearbox's computer, or the part inside that controls its oil.

Timing chain or tensioner

The chain that keeps the engine's valves in time, and the part that keeps it tight.

Wastegate or boost

The turbo's air pressure control. Turbo models only.

Carbon clean

Deposits were cleaned off the engine's intake valves.

Fuel rail sensor

The fuel pressure sensor named in one of the recalls.

Two quick checks at home

All you need is the VIN.

• Recalls: nissan.com.au/owners/recalls/recalls-service-campaigns.html
• Recalls: vehiclerecalls.gov.au
• Money owing: ppsr.gov.au (small fee; check again on the day you pay)

• The PPSR search shows if a car is recorded as free from debt, stolen or written off.
• It does not show how much money is owing, ownership history, the odometer reading or fines.
• Vehicle data on the PPSR is not always available or up to date.

General information only, not an inspection of any vehicle. “Our guide” means our recommendation, not a legal rule. Costs are a rough guide. Information current at October 2026: always check the VIN yourself.