2005 Nissan Almera — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 36,919 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Nissan Almera, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension. Its pass rate of 73.1% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.6% in the 150k+ group versus 15.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 7,109 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.5% | 4,241 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.1% | 3,002 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.9% | 2,172 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 2,094 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.5% | 2,015 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 4,320 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 3,452 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,832 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 1,740 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 1,638 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 1,497 |
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 | 35.3% | 13,024 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.7% | 10,588 |
| 3 | Suspension | 23.5% | 8,676 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.9% | 7,329 |
| 5 | Steering | 15.0% | 5,532 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.8% | 4,726 |
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 | 675 | 15.6% |
| 30-60k | 6,329 | 21.1% |
| 60-90k | 13,716 | 26.0% |
| 90-120k | 10,926 | 29.8% |
| 120-150k | 4,056 | 31.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,155 | 32.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 36,120 | 26.9% |
| Diesel | 799 | 29.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,467 | 27.0% |
| 2022 | 8,626 | 26.1% |
| 2023 | 7,206 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 5,926 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 4,694 | 27.5% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Almera
Before buying a 2005 Nissan Almera, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 19.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (19.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.5% 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 (8.1% 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 2005 Nissan Almeras pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 36,919 2005 Nissan Almera MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Nissan Almera?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.3% of tests, followed by brakes (11.5%).
Does the 2005 Almera get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 0-30k band to 32.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 36,919 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.