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Nissan Primera P12 (2002-2007) reliability

At a glance

Nissan Primera P12 built around 2005: more dangerous faults than average

Testers find a dangerous fault on Nissan Primera P12 models built around 2005 more often than on 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.

Looking at a Nissan Primera P12?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

10% of MOT tests on Nissan Primera P12 models built around 2005 found a fault the tester marked as dangerous, against 8% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Nissan Primera P12 models built around 2005 involves the suspension.

No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2002-2007SaloonPETROL / DIESEL

Based on 2,404 tests of Primera models registered 2002-2007.

About 1 in 10 Primera P12 MOTs (9.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2005 (20 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 700 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 7.5% and 11.8%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 10 Primera P12 MOTs (9.6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2005 (20 years old).

Based on 700 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 7.6% and 12.0%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

P12 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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
18631.7%

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.

How the Primera P12 compares

At each age below, see how the Primera P12 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 29,269 tests across 14 Nissan models, built around 2005 (20 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateNissan average
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
18631.7%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

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.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

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.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Primera P12.

  1. 1

    Lexus IS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    28.9%

    Lower fail rate: 28.9%, against 32.9% for the Nissan Primera P12, both built around 2005.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,334 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  2. 2

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    24.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    11.4%
    Dangerous
    6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 24.7%, against 32.9% for the Nissan Primera P12, both built around 2005.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,508 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  3. 3

    Mercedes-Benz E-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.2%
    Dangerous
    7.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    79.9%

    Lower fail rate: 25.5%, against 32.9% for the Nissan Primera P12, both built around 2005.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,978 MOT tests on cars built around 2005

  4. 4

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.9%
    Dangerous
    7.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    Lower fail rate: 26.4%, against 32.9% for the Nissan Primera P12, both built around 2005.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    10,816 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.

Recall context

4 recalls in all

1 of the 4 Primera P12 recalls covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Engine may stall

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

What has gone wrong on Primera P12 cars built around 2005

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 9,767 cars.

Structural systems

Drivetrain
43%
Suspension
36%
Emissions
33%
Bodywork
16%
Steering
6%

Wear items

Lighting
58%
Brakes
57%
Tyres
35%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 21% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Primera P12 cars have aged

How Primera P12 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1517192123Age at MOTBuilt around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (879 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (713 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.4% (532 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (382 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.7% (279 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (1,346 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 32.5% (1,054 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (782 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.7% (626 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (475 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 31.8% (896 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.3% (664 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 31.3% (486 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 28.9% (360 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (265 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 33.6% (765 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (574 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 32.8% (400 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 33.1% (299 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 32.9% (207 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 32.6% (568 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (451 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 34.0% (338 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 35.4% (260 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 31.7% (186 tests, 2025 data)2002
First registered around 2006First registered around 2005First registered around 2004First registered around 2003
How each part holds up as P12 cars age

How each part holds up as P12 cars age

The share of petrol cars built pre-2005 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car21 years22 years23 years24 years
Suspension59%52%46%24%
Brakes59%60%61%61%
Emissions27%31%23%34%
Tyres46%49%46%39%
Lighting65%64%65%58%
Drivetrain6%7%7%26%
Bodywork1%6%7%11%
Steering10%10%10%4%
Corrosion12%26%23%26%

Based on petrol cars in the pre-2005 build-year band, from 338 to 1,073 cars at each age.

P12 variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Nissan Primeras of this age

This list covers every Nissan Primera built around 2005, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the P12 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

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

  1. 1
    Advisory

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

    30.3%
    Advisory: 296Fail: 78 (21% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    20.7%
    Advisory: 190Fail: 24 (11% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    20.6%
    Advisory: 148Fail: 1 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.6%
    Advisory: 149Fail: 27 (15% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

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

    12.4%
    Advisory: 120Fail: 2 (2% of the times it was found)

Based on 700 tests

Looking at a Nissan Primera P12?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2005 (20 years old), the Nissan Primera P12 (2002-2007) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 700 20-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 2,404 MOT tests on Nissan Primeras first registered between 2002-2007. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.