2001 Nissan Almera — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,179 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Nissan Almera, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 73.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 35.5% in the 150k+ group versus 14.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.8% | 1,162 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.8% | 606 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.7% | 598 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 503 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.3% | 326 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.7% | 291 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 723 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 412 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 371 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 332 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 324 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 302 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.3% | 1,871 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.1% | 1,798 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.2% | 1,432 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.5% | 1,143 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 1,022 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.3% | 947 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 148 | 14.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,342 | 19.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,310 | 25.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,595 | 30.3% |
| 120-150k | 585 | 33.7% |
| 150k+ | 172 | 35.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 6,058 | 26.4% |
| Diesel | 121 | 29.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,019 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 1,549 | 27.4% |
| 2023 | 1,117 | 25.5% |
| 2024 | 847 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 647 | 24.9% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Almera
Before buying a 2001 Nissan Almera, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (9.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Nissan Almeras pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 6,179 2001 Nissan Almera MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Nissan Almera?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.8% of tests, followed by brakes (9.8%).
Does the 2001 Almera get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.2% in the 0-30k band to 35.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,179 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.