2002 Nissan Primastar — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 325 MOT tests, the 2002 Nissan Primastar recorded a 64.0% pass rate. That is 6.0 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 29.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 24.3% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, ball joint and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 38 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 38.9% in the 90-120k band and 32.3% in the 150k+ band, a 6.6-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 45.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 35.6% in 2021 to 33.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 24.3% | 79 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.9% | 68 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.0% | 65 |
| 4 | Visibility | 11.1% | 36 |
| 5 | Steering | 10.2% | 33 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 24 |
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 | 38 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 37 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 37 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 33 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 31 |
| 6 | Track rod end | 31 |
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 | 45.5% | 148 |
| 2 | Suspension | 44.9% | 146 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.2% | 85 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.9% | 81 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.2% | 69 |
| 6 | Steering | 15.7% | 51 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 72 | 38.9% |
| 120-150k | 90 | 38.9% |
| 150k+ | 130 | 32.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87 | 35.6% |
| 2022 | 74 | 39.2% |
| 2023 | 72 | 36.1% |
| 2024 | 50 | 34.0% |
| 2025 | 42 | 33.3% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Primastar
On a 2002 Primastar, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 24.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (24.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (20.9% 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.
- Brakes (20.0% 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 Primastars pass their MOT?
64.0% of the 325 2002 Nissan Primastar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 36.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Nissan Primastar?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 24.3% of tests, followed by suspension (20.9%).
Does the 2002 Primastar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 38.9% in the 90-120k band to 32.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 325 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.