2004 Nissan Primastar — MOT failures & pass rate
6,260 MOT tests on the 2004 Nissan Primastar are in this dataset, and 67.1% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (29.9% fail rate), the 2004 Primastar comes out 3.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (23.1%) and suspension (20.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are ball joint, position lamp and track rod end — ball joint alone was recorded 788 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 Primastar fails 31.2% of the time in the 30-60k band and 32.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 34.5% in 2021 to 31.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 23.1% | 1,447 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.6% | 1,290 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.3% | 1,022 |
| 4 | Visibility | 10.8% | 674 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.9% | 619 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 514 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ball joint | 788 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 621 |
| 3 | Track rod end | 606 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 552 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 486 |
| 6 | Washers | 476 |
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 | 37.6% | 2,357 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.6% | 2,229 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 28.3% | 1,770 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.2% | 1,580 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.5% | 1,348 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 885 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 77 | 31.2% |
| 60-90k | 333 | 30.9% |
| 90-120k | 990 | 32.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,596 | 33.5% |
| 150k+ | 3,195 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,770 | 34.5% |
| 2022 | 1,474 | 32.4% |
| 2023 | 1,205 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 1,007 | 33.5% |
| 2025 | 804 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Primastar
On a 2004 Primastar, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 23.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (23.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (20.6% 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 (16.3% 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 2004 Nissan Primastars pass their MOT?
67.1% of the 6,260 2004 Nissan Primastar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Nissan Primastar?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 23.1% of tests, followed by suspension (20.6%).
Does the 2004 Primastar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 31.2% in the 30-60k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,260 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.