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Nissan Primastar reliability

E · Poor

MOT pass rates and common problems from 99,125 MOT tests of cars first registered 2003–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
48.1%pass first time
−9.3 ptsvs typical car
Beats 17%of cars
99,125MOT tests

Verdict

The Nissan Primastar passes its MOT first time on 48.1% of tests, 9.3 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (57.4%). That puts it ahead of 17% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2004 Primastar does best (beats 33% of cars) and the 2023 worst (beats 1%).

Of its engines, the 1.9 Diesel does best (beats 30%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 11%).

Better than average on emissions & leaks.

Watch these weak spots

Lights & electrics1.4×as often as a typical car
Suspension1.4×as often as a typical car
Handbrake performance2.8×as often as a typical car
Track rod ends4.2×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.

40%50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192075%59%53%48%47%46%45%46%48%
Nissan PrimastarTypical 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.

2003
Beats 29%
2004
Beats 33%
2005
Beats 28%
2006
Beats 28%
2007
Beats 23%
2008
Beats 22%
2009
Beats 18%
2010
Beats 8%
2011
Beats 6%
2012
Beats 6%
2013
Beats 2%
2014
Beats 1%
2022
Beats 2%
2023
Beats 1%

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
2.0 Diesel2006–202362,92149.3%Beats 11%E
1.9 Diesel2003–200636,20446.1%Beats 30%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: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.9% 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: 23.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.9% 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: 28.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.9% 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: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.4% 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: 20.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.6% 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: 28.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.9% 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−7.5 ptsTyres: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.4% 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+1.3 ptsBrakes: 20.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.6% 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−7.9 ptsSuspension: 23.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.9% 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−7.0 ptsExhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.9% 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+1.7 ptsSuspension: 23.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.9% 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: 20.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.6% 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: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.4% 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: 28.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.9% 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: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.9% 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: 28.5% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 20.9% 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−7.5 ptsTyres: 7.1% of tests fail on tyres, against 8.4% 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+1.3 ptsBrakes: 20.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.6% 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−7.9 ptsSuspension: 23.8% of tests fail on suspension, against 16.9% 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−7.0 ptsExhaust: 4.3% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 5.9% 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+1.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Brakes: 20.5% of tests fail on brakes, against 12.6% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Lights & electrics
28.5% vs 20.9%
Suspension
23.8% vs 16.9%
Brakes
20.5% vs 12.6%
Steering
12.5% vs 3.8%
Visibility
11.3% vs 6.8%
Body & structure
7.4% vs 7.1%
Tyres
7.1% vs 8.4%
Emissions & leaks
4.3% vs 5.9%
Seat belts & airbags
3.8% vs 2.4%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.6%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Handbrake performance 2.8× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Track rod ends 4.2× typical
    Feel for play or knocking in the steering and check for wear on the inner edges of the front tyres.
  • Suspension ball joints 3.2× typical
    Listen for knocks over speed bumps and feel for wandering or vague steering.
  • Number plate lights 2.2× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Windscreen washers 1.7× typical
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • 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%30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k70%59%53%49%45%45%45%
Nissan PrimastarTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Handbrake performance13.0%4.6%2.8×
Track rod ends10.6%2.6%4.2×
Sidelights9.1%5.9%1.6×
Suspension ball joints8.8%2.7%3.2×
Brake lights7.0%4.0%1.7×
Number plate lights6.2%2.8%2.2×
Windscreen washers5.6%3.3%1.7×
Headlight aim5.2%5.6%0.9×
Windscreen wipers4.8%2.7%1.8×
Brake pipes4.2%2.0%2.1×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn139.7
A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play97.4
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning68.2
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement62.6
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning59.9
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen55.8
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps54.6
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements52.5
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.

2023 Nissan Primastar1 engine74.7% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel1,45774.7%Beats 1%E
2022 Nissan Primastar1 engine74.8% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,05274.8%Beats 2%E
2014 Nissan Primastar1 engine52.1% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,83152.1%Beats 1%E
2013 Nissan Primastar1 engine50.3% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,88950.3%Beats 2%E
2012 Nissan Primastar1 engine49.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,88849.2%Beats 6%E
2011 Nissan Primastar1 engine46.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel8,75446.9%Beats 6%E
2010 Nissan Primastar1 engine45.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,08945.9%Beats 8%E
2009 Nissan Primastar1 engine47.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel7,50647.9%Beats 18%E
2008 Nissan Primastar1 engine47.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel9,27047.3%Beats 22%D
2007 Nissan Primastar1 engine46.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel13,44546.7%Beats 23%D
2006 Nissan Primastar2 engines46.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel10,22247.3%Beats 30%D
2.0 Diesel1,74044.2%Beats 19%E
2005 Nissan Primastar1 engine45.8% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel11,10045.8%Beats 28%D
2004 Nissan Primastar1 engine46.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel9,12346.0%Beats 33%D
2003 Nissan Primastar1 engine44.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.9 Diesel5,75944.3%Beats 29%D

FAQ

What is the Nissan Primastar MOT pass rate?

48.1% of MOT tests on the Nissan Primastar were passed first time, based on 99,125 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2003–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 57.4% of the time.

Is the Nissan Primastar reliable?

On MOT results it rates E (poor): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 17% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Nissan Primastar year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2004 Primastar does best for its age and mileage: it beats 33% of cars on UK roads. The 2023 does worst: it beats 1%.

Which Nissan Primastar engine is best?

Across all years, the 1.9 Diesel does best: it beats 30% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 11%.

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

The most common failure items are handbrake performance, track rod ends, sidelights. Compared with similar cars, handbrake performance comes up 2.8× 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.