2011 Nissan Primastar — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,980 MOT tests, the 2011 Nissan Primastar recorded a 67.7% pass rate. Vans of a similar age fail 26.6% of the time, so this is 5.7pp 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 (18.5%) and suspension (17.8%) 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 737 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 26.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 32.8% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 36.5% of tests without failing them.
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
On a 2011 Primastar, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.