2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Nissan Primastar MOT pass rate and common faults

469 MOT tests in 2024. 47.8% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

83Well below average
Passed first time47.8%
Failed or needed repairs52.2%
Typical mileage at test148,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 469 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn10.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working7.5%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play7.2%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements7.0%
  5. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.6%
  6. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid5.3%
  7. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.1%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively5.1%
  9. Service brake imbalance: across an axle5.1%
  10. Stop lamp: not working4.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics55.2%
  2. Brakes49.3%
  3. Suspension41.4%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)16.8%
  5. Body & chassis16.6%
  6. Steering10.4%
  7. Tyres7.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags5.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine31.1%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened20.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.3%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.8%
  5. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)14.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All Primastar years2004 Primastar →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Nissan Primastar?

In 2024, 47.8% of 2003 Nissan Primastar cars passed their MOT first time, across 469 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Nissan Primastar?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; position lamp: not working; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Nissan Primastar reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 83, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).