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Nissan Primera reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 60,361 MOT tests of cars first registered 1997–2006.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
53.1%pass first time
−2.1 ptsvs typical car
Beats 43%of cars
60,361MOT tests

Verdict

The Nissan Primera passes its MOT first time on 53.1% of tests, 2.1 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (55.1%). That puts it ahead of 43% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2004 Primera does best (beats 49% of cars) and the 2000 worst (beats 26%).

Better than average on steering.

Watch these weak spots

Seat belts & airbags1.7×as often as a typical car
Headlight bulbs & units1.5×as often as a typical car
Airbag warning light2.6×as often as a typical car
Brake lights1.4×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.

45%50%55%60%12131415161718192054%52%50%52%52%53%53%54%54%
Nissan PrimeraTypical 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.

1997
Beats 30%
1998
Beats 38%
1999
Beats 40%
2000
Beats 26%
2001
Beats 49%
2002
Beats 42%
2003
Beats 45%
2004
Beats 49%
2005
Beats 41%
2006
Beats 40%

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
1.8 Petrol2000–200636,53152.5%Beats 42%C
2.0 Petrol1997–200513,29355.7%Beats 46%C
2.2 Diesel2003–20056,85949.9%Beats 44%C
1.6 Petrol1997–19993,67855.5%Beats 35%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: 8.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.2% 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: 14.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.1% 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: 25.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% 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: 8.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% 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: 15.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.1% 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: 25.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% 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−3.8 ptsTyres: 8.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% 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−0.6 ptsBrakes: 15.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.1% 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−1.8 ptsSuspension: 14.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.1% 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+3.1 ptsExhaust: 8.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.2% 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−0.9 ptsSuspension: 14.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.1% 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: 15.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.1% 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: 8.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% 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: 25.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% 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: 8.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.2% 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: 25.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% 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−3.8 ptsTyres: 8.0% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.3% 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−0.6 ptsBrakes: 15.9% of tests fail on brakes, against 14.1% 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−1.8 ptsSuspension: 14.1% of tests fail on suspension, against 17.1% 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+3.1 ptsExhaust: 8.2% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 7.2% 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−0.9 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 25.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 21.8% 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
25.7% vs 21.8%
Brakes
15.9% vs 14.1%
Suspension
14.1% vs 17.1%
Body & structure
8.7% vs 8.5%
Emissions & leaks
8.2% vs 7.2%
Visibility
8.1% vs 8.1%
Tyres
8.0% vs 7.3%
Seat belts & airbags
5.4% vs 3.2%
Steering
3.2% vs 4.0%
Wheels
0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Headlight bulbs & units 1.5× typical
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Brake lights 1.4× typical
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Brake pads 1.9× typical
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Handbrake performance 1.5× typical
    Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.
  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst) 1.4× typical
    Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
  • 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%30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k73%62%56%50%48%46%46%
Nissan PrimeraTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Headlight aim6.9%5.7%1.2×
Sidelights6.5%5.0%1.3×
Headlight bulbs & units6.1%3.9%1.5×
Brake lights6.0%4.3%1.4×
Handbrake performance4.6%3.1%1.5×
Windscreen wipers4.5%3.7%1.2×
Tyre damage & cracking3.9%3.4%1.1×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)3.8%2.7%1.4×
Exhaust system3.7%2.8%1.3×
Brake pads3.4%1.8%1.9×

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 requirements68.5
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn63.9
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning48.5
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen44.2
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement39.2
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning35.5
Exhaust system leaking or insecure35.0
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm32.8
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 Primera1 engine53.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol8,45853.6%Beats 40%C
2005 Nissan Primera3 engines52.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol8,42452.1%Beats 39%D
2.2 Diesel2,55250.5%Beats 44%C
2.0 Petrol2,11154.7%Beats 47%C
2004 Nissan Primera3 engines52.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol5,32753.6%Beats 49%C
2.2 Diesel3,13149.5%Beats 44%C
2.0 Petrol1,59856.9%Beats 59%C
2003 Nissan Primera3 engines52.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol5,93651.6%Beats 42%C
2.0 Petrol1,48456.5%Beats 57%C
2.2 Diesel1,17649.7%Beats 47%C
2002 Nissan Primera2 engines51.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol5,32950.9%Beats 40%C
2.0 Petrol1,19155.0%Beats 47%C
2001 Nissan Primera2 engines54.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol2,00354.3%Beats 47%C
2.0 Petrol1,03656.0%Beats 50%C
2000 Nissan Primera1 engine49.2% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.8 Petrol1,05449.2%Beats 26%D
1999 Nissan Primera2 engines55.0% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,47254.4%Beats 37%D
1.6 Petrol1,10656.4%Beats 45%C
1998 Nissan Primera2 engines56.1% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol2,11157.0%Beats 42%C
1.6 Petrol1,34154.7%Beats 32%D
1997 Nissan Primera2 engines55.7% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,29055.9%Beats 31%D
1.6 Petrol1,23155.6%Beats 30%D

FAQ

What is the Nissan Primera MOT pass rate?

53.1% of MOT tests on the Nissan Primera were passed first time, based on 60,361 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1997–2006. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 55.1% of the time.

Is the Nissan Primera 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 43% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Nissan Primera year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2004 Primera does best for its age and mileage: it beats 49% of cars on UK roads. The 2000 does worst: it beats 26%.

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

The most common failure items are headlight aim, sidelights, headlight bulbs & units. Compared with similar cars, headlight bulbs & units comes up 1.5× 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.