Nissan Primastar reliability: MOT pass rate and common faults
Nissan Primastar cars first used in 2007 had an MOT pass rate below the average for their age.
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 47.2% to 53.1%.
In 2025, 50.1% of the 1,087 initial MOT tests on Nissan Primastar cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 57.4%. That is 7.3 points below the same-age average.
Check a specific Primastar
Nissan Primastar MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007age 18 | 1,087147,800 | 50.1%±3.0 | −7.3 ptsall: 57.4% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upCommon Primastar problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems.
Most common MOT failures on the Nissan Primastar
| Defect | Share of failed tests | All vehicles, same age |
|---|---|---|
| Track rod end ball joint has excessive playSteering | 20.3%110 tests | 4.2% |
| Suspension arm ball joint excessively wornSuspension | 16.4%89 tests | 5.4% |
| Position lamp not workingLights and electrics | 15.5%84 tests | 14.2% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirementsBrakes | 12.2%66 tests | 6.3% |
| Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lampsLights and electrics | 10.5%57 tests | 4.5% |
| Stop lamp not workingLights and electrics | 10.3%56 tests | 9.6% |
| Rigid brake pipes excessively corrodedBrakes | 10.1%55 tests | 3.5% |
These are failures recorded at initial MOT tests in 2025. Retests are not counted. "All vehicles, same age" is the same defect's share of failed tests for all vehicles first used in the same years, weighted by the Primastar's failed tests in each year. How we count
What to check when viewing a Primastar
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Check the dashboard warning lights come on when the car is switched on and then go out. Ask about any that stay lit.
Suspension
- Push down hard on each corner. Check the car rises once and settles, not bouncing again and again.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- Check the car sits level when parked on flat ground.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly and check the car stops in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Steering
- With the car switched on, turn the wheel from lock to lock and check it moves smoothly and quietly.
- On a straight, level road, check the car runs straight with the steering wheel centred.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a Primastar's MOT historyNissan Primastar questions
Is the Nissan Primastar reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 50.1% of initial MOT tests on Nissan Primastar cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 57.4%. That is 7.3 points below average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common Nissan Primastar problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 53.7% of failed tests), suspension (in 51.5% of failed tests) and brakes (in 41.9% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 18-year-old Nissan Primastar?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Nissan Primastar cars first used in 2007, about 18 years old, had a median of 147,800 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific Primastar's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Nissan Primastar
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Nissan models
- Nissan Qashqai−5.0 pts against the same-age average
- Nissan Juke−4.7 pts against the same-age average
- Nissan Micra−3.0 pts against the same-age average
- Nissan Note−1.1 pts against the same-age average
- Nissan X-Trail−3.8 pts against the same-age average
- Nissan Navara−7.5 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
All 16 Nissan modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Nissan Primastar cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count