2008 Nissan Primastar — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,888 MOT tests, the 2008 Nissan Primastar recorded a 68.2% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail 28.7% of the time, so this is 3.1pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (20.4%) and suspension (17.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, ball joint and rbt (sp) — track rod end alone was recorded 669 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 20.0% in the 30-60k band and 33.4% in the 150k+ band, a 13.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 42.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.4% | 1,406 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.9% | 1,230 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.4% | 1,129 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.4% | 645 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.3% | 501 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 383 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 669 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 648 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 607 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 570 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 490 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 440 |
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 | 42.0% | 2,893 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.3% | 2,089 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.9% | 1,782 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.5% | 1,482 |
| 5 | Other defects | 18.0% | 1,238 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 849 |
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 | 170 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 576 | 27.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,449 | 29.9% |
| 120-150k | 2,024 | 33.5% |
| 150k+ | 2,642 | 33.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,689 | 32.0% |
| 2022 | 1,533 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 1,417 | 31.6% |
| 2024 | 1,209 | 32.4% |
| 2025 | 1,040 | 31.7% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Primastar
On a 2008 Primastar, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.9% 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 (16.4% 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 2008 Nissan Primastars pass their MOT?
68.2% of the 6,888 2008 Nissan Primastar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Nissan Primastar?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.4% of tests, followed by suspension (17.9%).
Does the 2008 Primastar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 33.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,888 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.