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Nissan Primera reliability by build year

Coverage 2002-20071 named generationSaloonPETROL / DIESEL

We've only got 707 MOT tests for Nissan Primeras built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Nissan Primera built before 2000: fails its MOT more often than average

Nissan Primeras built before 2000 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Nissan Primera by number plate

Key figure

31% of MOT tests on Nissan Primeras built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Nissan Primeras built before 2000 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

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

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Suspension

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks 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 Primera's generation

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

P

P12 (2002-2007)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

33.0% fail rate, built around 2005 (20 years old)

Likely between 29.5% and 36.7%

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

From 654 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 Primera.

See every build year for the Nissan Primera

By age

Nissan Primera fail rate by age

This chart combines every Nissan Primera 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
23133.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
52631.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
70032.9%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
45629.8%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
30532.8%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
27330.0%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
12231.1%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
70731.0%

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 25+ year old Nissan Primeras

These issues come from 25+ year old Nissan Primeras, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    21.4%
    Advisory: 152Fail: 5 (3% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    16.4%
    Advisory: 116Fail: 104 (47% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    15.0%
    Advisory: 87Fail: 28 (24% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.0%
    Advisory: 144Fail: 18 (11% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    13.3%
    Advisory: 133Fail: 9 (6% of the times it was found)

Based on 707 MOT tests on 25+ year old Nissan Primeras, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Nissan Primeras notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension38%
  2. Body & structure + Suspension27%
  3. Body & structure + Brakes24%
  4. Suspension + Tyres23%

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

Across 449 MOT tests on Nissan Primera cars built before 2000 (over 25 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 Primera.

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

4 recalls in all

2 of the 4 Nissan Primera recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 recalls

Top concerns

  • Engine may stall
  • Brake hoses may chafe

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

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Morris Minor 1000

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.8%
    Dangerous
    4.8%

    Lower fail rate: 18.5%, against 31.0% for the Nissan Primera, both built before 2000.

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

    1,272 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 21.2%, against 31.0% for the Nissan Primera, both built before 2000.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,238 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    Lower fail rate: 22.8%, against 31.0% for the Nissan Primera, both built before 2000.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,892 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Mercedes-Benz E-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.9%

    Lower fail rate: 22.5%, against 31.0% for the Nissan Primera, both built before 2000.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,089 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

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 before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Nissan Primera across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 707 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Nissan Primera ever sold: 3,320 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 707 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.