2002 Nissan Almera — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 14,824 MOT tests, the 2002 Nissan Almera recorded a 72.4% pass rate. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests against 10.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, component mounting prescribed areas and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,158 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.4% in the 0-30k band and 37.1% in the 150k+ band, a 17.7-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 2,852 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.4% | 1,544 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.2% | 1,510 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 1,180 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.2% | 924 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 871 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,158 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 1,055 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 914 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 864 |
| 5 | Wipers | 847 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 847 |
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 | 32.9% | 4,872 |
| 2 | Tyres | 30.4% | 4,509 |
| 3 | Suspension | 27.1% | 4,015 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.0% | 2,516 |
| 5 | Other defects | 16.9% | 2,505 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 2,495 |
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 | 283 | 19.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,669 | 21.4% |
| 60-90k | 5,238 | 26.0% |
| 90-120k | 3,995 | 29.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,930 | 33.5% |
| 150k+ | 636 | 37.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 14,533 | 27.6% |
| Diesel | 291 | 28.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,723 | 28.2% |
| 2022 | 3,548 | 26.8% |
| 2023 | 2,792 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 2,168 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 1,593 | 27.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Almera
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.4% 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.
- Brakes (10.2% 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.
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 2002 Nissan Almeras pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 14,824 2002 Nissan Almera MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Nissan Almera?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by suspension (10.4%).
Does the 2002 Almera get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.4% in the 0-30k band to 37.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,824 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.