2012 Nissan Primastar — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2012 Nissan Primastar passed 68.6% of its 3,570 recorded MOT tests. Against vans of a similar age (25.6% fail rate), the 2012 Primastar comes out 5.8pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.7% of tests against 16.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and ball joint — track rod end alone was recorded 403 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.8% in the 30-60k band and 30.7% in the 150k+ band, a 7.8-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 34.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 704 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.1% | 576 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.3% | 510 |
| 4 | Steering | 10.2% | 364 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 259 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.8% | 243 |
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 | 403 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 308 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 273 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 237 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 235 |
| 6 | Joints | 219 |
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 | 34.2% | 1,222 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.4% | 873 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.8% | 815 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.1% | 433 |
| 5 | Visibility | 10.5% | 375 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 10.0% | 357 |
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 | 127 | 22.8% |
| 60-90k | 570 | 31.4% |
| 90-120k | 909 | 32.6% |
| 120-150k | 896 | 31.8% |
| 150k+ | 1,050 | 30.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 753 | 30.1% |
| 2022 | 741 | 30.9% |
| 2023 | 735 | 31.8% |
| 2024 | 705 | 33.9% |
| 2025 | 636 | 30.0% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Primastar
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (16.1% 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 (14.3% 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 2012 Nissan Primastars pass their MOT?
68.6% of the 3,570 2012 Nissan Primastar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Nissan Primastar?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.7% of tests, followed by suspension (16.1%).
Does the 2012 Primastar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.8% in the 30-60k band to 30.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,570 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.