2011 Nissan Primastar — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,980 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Nissan Primastar, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 67.7% was below the average for cars of a similar age (78.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 32.8% in the 150k+ group versus 26.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.5% | 1,290 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.8% | 1,241 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.2% | 1,064 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.9% | 689 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.4% | 514 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.2% | 506 |
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 | 737 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 625 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 545 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 515 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 503 |
| 6 | Joints | 430 |
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 | 36.5% | 2,547 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.5% | 1,710 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.6% | 1,649 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.9% | 902 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.4% | 867 |
| 6 | Visibility | 10.6% | 737 |
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 | 46 | 26.1% |
| 30-60k | 277 | 24.2% |
| 60-90k | 936 | 30.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,710 | 32.0% |
| 120-150k | 1,851 | 34.3% |
| 150k+ | 2,137 | 32.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,574 | 32.6% |
| 2022 | 1,500 | 31.1% |
| 2023 | 1,450 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 1,311 | 33.3% |
| 2025 | 1,145 | 31.4% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Primastar
Before buying a 2011 Nissan Primastar, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.5% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.8% 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 (15.2% 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 2011 Nissan Primastars pass their MOT?
67.7% of the 6,980 2011 Nissan Primastar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Nissan Primastar?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.5% of tests, followed by suspension (17.8%).
Does the 2011 Primastar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 26.1% in the 0-30k band to 32.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,980 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.