2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Nissan Primastar MOT pass rate and common faults

721 MOT tests in 2024. 45.5% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

81Well below average
Passed first time45.5%
Failed or needed repairs54.5%
Typical mileage at test154,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 721 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn10.4%
  2. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play10.3%
  3. Position lamp: not working7.4%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements6.9%
  5. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect6.0%
  6. Stop lamp: not working5.5%
  7. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded5.3%
  8. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps5.1%
  9. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid4.7%
  10. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.4%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics54.4%
  2. Brakes43.0%
  3. Suspension41.2%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)17.3%
  5. Body & chassis15.0%
  6. Steering14.8%
  7. Tyres7.8%
  8. Seat belts & airbags5.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine26.2%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened18.0%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.1%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.7%
  5. Non-component advisories: Play in steering rack inner joint(s)12.2%

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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Nissan Primastar?

In 2024, 45.5% of 2004 Nissan Primastar cars passed their MOT first time, across 721 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Nissan Primastar?

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

Is the 2004 Nissan Primastar reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 81, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).