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Nissan Almera reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-20061 named generationHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Nissan Almera built around 2005: about average at the MOT

Nissan Almeras built around 2005 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Nissan Almera by number plate

Key figure

33% of MOT tests on Nissan Almeras built around 2005 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Nissan Almeras built around 2005 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Nissan Almera's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Almera's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

N

N16 (facelift) (2003-2006)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

32.8% fail rate, built around 2005 (20 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.3%)

From 4,846 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Nissan Almera.

See every build year for the Nissan Almera

By age

Nissan Almera fail rate by age

This chart combines every Nissan Almera ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
35133.6%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,08732.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
4,84632.8%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
3,00931.1%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,78831.3%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,29431.9%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
49332.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
62933.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 20-year-old Nissan Almeras

These issues come from 20-year-old Nissan Almeras, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.4%
    Advisory: 1,247Fail: 119 (9% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    18.0%
    Advisory: 1,140Fail: 130 (10% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    15.7%
    Advisory: 1,042Fail: 23 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    14.8%
    Advisory: 775Fail: 218 (22% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    13.1%
    Advisory: 649Fail: 133 (17% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,846 MOT tests on 20-year-old Nissan Almeras, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 20-year-old Nissan Almeras notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension34%
  2. Brakes + Lighting31%
  3. Lighting + Suspension29%
  4. Brakes + Tyres29%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,178 MOT tests on Nissan Almera cars built around 2005 (20 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Nissan Almera.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

18 recalls in all

9 of the 18 Nissan Almera recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 8 more

Top concerns

  • Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly
  • A non-dessicated passenger airbag inflator was used during previous recall to replace this component
  • Replace airbag inflators checked but not replaced under previous recall R/2015/093

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    20.4%

    Lower fail rate: 20.4%, against 32.7% for the Nissan Almera, both built around 2005.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,234 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  2. 2

    Toyota Prius

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.4%
    Dangerous
    6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94.4%

    Lower fail rate: 28.1%, against 32.7% for the Nissan Almera, both built around 2005.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,028 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  3. 3

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Almera on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    23,656 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  4. 4

    Toyota Corolla

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    29.9%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.3%
    Dangerous
    7.6%

    Lower fail rate: 29.9%, against 32.7% for the Nissan Almera, both built around 2005.

    7 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    11,337 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2005 (20 years old), the Nissan Almera across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 4,846 20-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Nissan Almera ever sold: 15,497 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2005 (20 years old): 4,846 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.