2003 Nissan Almera — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Nissan Almera passed 74.0% of its 16,805 recorded MOT tests. Against small family cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2003 Almera comes out 2.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 17.0% of all tests — 7.4 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and wipers — headlamp alone was recorded 1,295 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.4% in the 0-30k band and 33.0% in the 150k+ band, a 15.6-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 31.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.0% | 2,858 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.7% | 1,622 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.9% | 1,334 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 1,184 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 991 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 961 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 1,295 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,272 |
| 3 | Wipers | 895 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 860 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 859 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 849 |
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 | 31.1% | 5,225 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.8% | 5,016 |
| 3 | Suspension | 22.4% | 3,758 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 2,658 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.7% | 2,639 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.9% | 2,504 |
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 | 386 | 17.4% |
| 30-60k | 3,104 | 18.9% |
| 60-90k | 5,688 | 25.3% |
| 90-120k | 5,002 | 28.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,976 | 32.5% |
| 150k+ | 622 | 33.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 16,337 | 25.9% |
| Diesel | 468 | 28.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,227 | 26.2% |
| 2022 | 4,017 | 25.8% |
| 2023 | 3,186 | 25.5% |
| 2024 | 2,522 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 1,853 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Almera
On a 2003 Almera, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 17.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (17.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.7% 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 (7.9% 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 2003 Nissan Almeras pass their MOT?
74.0% of the 16,805 2003 Nissan Almera MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan Almera?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.0% of tests, followed by brakes (9.7%).
Does the 2003 Almera get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 0-30k band to 33.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,805 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.