2013 Nissan Primastar — MOT failures & pass rate
3,578 MOT tests on the 2013 Nissan Primastar are in this dataset, and 68.7% of them passed. Against vans of a similar age (24.3% fail rate), the 2013 Primastar comes out 7.0pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.4% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and pins and bushes — track rod end alone was recorded 425 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 33.7% versus 22.6%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 28.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 33.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.4% | 695 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.5% | 556 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.2% | 435 |
| 4 | Steering | 10.9% | 390 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.8% | 244 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.7% | 241 |
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 | 425 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 310 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 233 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 212 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 205 |
| 6 | Joints | 201 |
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 | 35.1% | 1,256 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.9% | 928 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 833 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.2% | 437 |
| 5 | Visibility | 11.1% | 398 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.5% | 340 |
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 | 31 | 22.6% |
| 30-60k | 305 | 26.2% |
| 60-90k | 749 | 29.4% |
| 90-120k | 899 | 31.5% |
| 120-150k | 712 | 32.9% |
| 150k+ | 876 | 33.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 725 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 750 | 31.6% |
| 2023 | 740 | 31.2% |
| 2024 | 697 | 32.1% |
| 2025 | 666 | 33.8% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Primastar
On a 2013 Primastar, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.5% 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 (12.2% 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 2013 Nissan Primastars pass their MOT?
68.7% of the 3,578 2013 Nissan Primastar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Nissan Primastar?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.4% of tests, followed by suspension (15.5%).
Does the 2013 Primastar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.6% in the 0-30k band to 33.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,578 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.