MOT performance
Nissan Primastar MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 19,096 MOT tests of the Nissan Primastar in 2023–2024, 46.9% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Nissan Primastars failed 25% more often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “track rod end: ball joint has excessive play”, on 11.00% of tests.
19,096 MOT tests on 10,368 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 46.9% | ±0.7 pts (95%), n = 19,096 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.25× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 15.3% | n = 19,096 |
| Average age at test | 15.1 years | n = 19,096 |
| Median mileage at test | 140,252 miles | n = 19,096 |
| Vehicles tested | 10,368 | 2023–2024 |
Where Nissan Primastars fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 28.6% | +43% |
| Suspension | 25.4% | +41% |
| Brakes | 22.5% | +68% |
| Steering | 13.8% | +205% |
| Driver's view of the road | 11.0% | +66% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 9.4% | +13% |
| Tyres | 6.8% | -14% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.9% | -1% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 4.1% | +49% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.8% | +30% |
| Road wheels | 0.3% | -55% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | +101% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play | Steering | 11.00% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 8.79% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 8.66% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 7.48% |
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 5.83% |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 5.25% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 4.82% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 4.50% |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 4.46% |
| Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side | Brakes | 4.16% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 18.70% |
| Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded | Brakes | 18.23% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 16.38% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 16.25% |
| Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s) | Other | 9.44% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7-8 | 220 | 52.3% | +63% |
| 9-10 | 1,764 | 48.4% | +50% |
| 11-12 | 2,626 | 45.4% | +39% |
| 13-15 | 4,928 | 46.8% | +24% |
| 16+ | 9,558 | 47.0% | +18% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 905 | 50.7% | 1.52× |
| 2013 | 1,023 | 47.4% | 1.49× |
| 2012 | 1,005 | 45.0% | 1.44× |
| 2011 | 1,908 | 45.1% | 1.37× |
| 2010 | 892 | 44.0% | 1.35× |
| 2009 | 1,590 | 47.0% | 1.24× |
| 2008 | 1,882 | 48.0% | 1.19× |
| 2007 | 2,792 | 47.0% | 1.20× |
| 2006 | 2,309 | 48.9% | 1.14× |
| 2005 | 2,090 | 46.3% | 1.19× |
| 2004 | 1,590 | 46.9% | 1.16× |
| 2003 | 1,018 | 45.8% | 1.19× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Check a specific Nissan Primastar
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.