The surface characteristics of bare and modified nickel-titanium samples (NiTi) are investigated by spectroscopic, microscopic and electrochemical techniques. The successful electrodeposition of a tantalum coating on NiTi and the effective grafting of 1-dodecylphosphonic acid SAMs on both pristine and Ta-covered NiTi surfaces are evidenced and quantified by XPS and SEM. Cyclic voltammetry performed on the different NiTi-based electrodes highlights their specificities regarding electron transfer to a redox probe present in solution (here ruthenium(III) hexamine). Finally, the samples electrochemical characteristics at a local scale are investigated by scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The impact of the surface modifications on mass transport of the redox probe is analyzed through approach curves in the feedback mode, while the recording of current maps in feedback as well as in substrate-generation/tipcollection modes leads to the qualitative identification of electrochemically-active areas corresponding to precursor pitting corrosion sites. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.