2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Nissan Primastar MOT pass rate and common faults

482 MOT tests in 2024. 43.0% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

67Well below average
Passed first time43.0%
Failed or needed repairs57.0%
Typical mileage at test132,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 482 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play13.9%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt9.1%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements8.9%
  4. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn8.1%
  5. Position lamp: not working7.9%
  6. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn7.3%
  7. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded7.1%
  8. Stop lamp: not working4.8%
  9. Parking brake performance: inoperative on one side4.4%
  10. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.9%
    20 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes43.8%
  2. Suspension40.2%
  3. Lights & electrics40.0%
  4. Steering18.3%
  5. Body & chassis14.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)12.7%
  7. Tyres8.3%
  8. Emissions & leaks7.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm18.5%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.6%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened16.4%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.3%

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: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. 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 2012 Nissan Primastar?

In 2024, 43.0% of 2012 Nissan Primastar cars passed their MOT first time, across 482 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Nissan Primastar?

The most common failure reasons were track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2012 Nissan Primastar reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 67, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).