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Nissan Almera reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 231,461 MOT tests of cars first registered 1998–2006.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
54.5%pass first time
−1.5 ptsvs typical car
Beats 45%of cars
231,461MOT tests

Verdict

The Nissan Almera passes its MOT first time on 54.5% of tests, 1.5 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (56.0%). That puts it ahead of 45% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2003 Almera does best (beats 53% of cars) and the 2002 worst (beats 39%).

Of its engines, the 1.5 Petrol does best (beats 47%) and the 1.8 Petrol worst (beats 44%).

Better than average on suspension.

Watch these weak spots

Seat belts & airbags1.6×as often as a typical car
Headlight bulbs & units1.8×as often as a typical car
Brake performance1.8×as often as a typical car
Airbag warning light2.4×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%55%60%65%12131415161718192056%55%54%55%54%54%55%55%54%
Nissan AlmeraTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1998
Beats 20%
1999
Beats 16%
2000
Beats 31%
2001
Beats 39%
2002
Beats 39%
2003
Beats 53%
2004
Beats 50%
2005
Beats 43%
2006
Beats 47%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol2000–2006133,90455.2%Beats 47%C
1.8 Petrol2000–200584,88154.1%Beats 44%C
2.2 Diesel2003–20055,58649.8%Beats 42%C
1.4 Petrol1998–19994,19749.4%Beats 15%E
1.6 Petrol1998–19992,89351.4%Beats 22%D

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 6.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 24.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 7.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 14.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 24.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−3.2 ptsTyres: 7.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.3 ptsBrakes: 14.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.6 ptsSuspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+5.5 ptsExhaust: 6.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.1 ptsSuspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 14.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 7.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 24.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 6.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 24.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−3.2 ptsTyres: 7.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−0.3 ptsBrakes: 14.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 13.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.6 ptsSuspension: 10.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+5.5 ptsExhaust: 6.6% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 6.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 24.4% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.2% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
24.4% vs 21.2%
Brakes
14.9% vs 13.3%
Suspension
10.9% vs 16.4%
Visibility
8.0% vs 8.0%
Body & structure
7.8% vs 8.0%
Tyres
7.5% vs 7.1%
Emissions & leaks
6.6% vs 6.8%
Seat belts & airbags
4.5% vs 2.9%
Steering
3.8% vs 3.8%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Headlight bulbs & units 1.8× typical
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Brake performance 1.8× typical
    On the test drive, brake firmly: the car should stop straight with no pulsing through the pedal.
  • Exhaust system 1.6× typical
    Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look for heavy corrosion underneath.
  • Brake pads 1.8× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Handbrake performance 1.4× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

40%50%60%70%80%90%10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k79%71%62%55%50%47%44%42%
Nissan AlmeraTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Headlight bulbs & units7.3%4.0%1.8×
Headlight aim6.8%5.7%1.2×
Brake lights5.7%4.3%1.3×
Windscreen wipers4.9%3.7%1.3×
Sidelights4.3%4.8%0.9×
Exhaust system4.2%2.7%1.6×
Handbrake performance4.1%2.9%1.4×
Brake performance3.8%2.1%1.8×
Tyre damage & cracking3.6%3.5%1.0×
Brake pads3.2%1.7%1.8×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements67.8
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning52.3
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen47.6
Exhaust system leaking or insecure40.1
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED39.6
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn35.2
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake35.0
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement33.3
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2006 Nissan Almera1 engine57.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol16,33057.2%Beats 47%C
2005 Nissan Almera3 engines54.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol34,42454.4%Beats 41%C
1.8 Petrol29,79855.2%Beats 45%C
2.2 Diesel1,85748.2%Beats 33%D
2004 Nissan Almera3 engines55.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol29,13656.0%Beats 52%C
1.8 Petrol23,99655.3%Beats 49%C
2.2 Diesel2,47850.0%Beats 44%C
2003 Nissan Almera3 engines55.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol24,52956.8%Beats 57%C
1.8 Petrol9,95353.5%Beats 44%C
2.2 Diesel1,25152.0%Beats 53%C
2002 Nissan Almera2 engines52.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol17,41053.1%Beats 43%C
1.8 Petrol13,64950.8%Beats 35%D
2001 Nissan Almera2 engines52.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol9,09253.4%Beats 40%D
1.8 Petrol5,56052.0%Beats 37%D
2000 Nissan Almera2 engines52.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.5 Petrol2,98352.4%Beats 30%D
1.8 Petrol1,92552.8%Beats 31%D
1999 Nissan Almera2 engines48.6% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol2,29047.9%Beats 14%E
1.6 Petrol1,70749.5%Beats 18%E
1998 Nissan Almera2 engines52.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.4 Petrol1,90751.3%Beats 17%E
1.6 Petrol1,18654.2%Beats 28%D

FAQ

What is the Nissan Almera MOT pass rate?

54.5% of MOT tests on the Nissan Almera were passed first time, based on 231,461 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1998–2006. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 56.0% of the time.

Is the Nissan Almera reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 45% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Nissan Almera year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2003 Almera does best for its age and mileage: it beats 53% of cars on UK roads. The 2002 does worst: it beats 39%.

Which Nissan Almera engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.5 Petrol does best: it beats 47% of cars on UK roads. The 1.8 Petrol does worst: it beats 44%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Nissan Almera?

The most common failure items are headlight bulbs & units, headlight aim, brake lights. Compared with similar cars, headlight bulbs & units comes up 1.8× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.