2014 Nissan Primastar — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2014 Nissan Primastar passed 71.0% of its 3,027 recorded MOT tests. Vans of a similar age fail 22.9% of the time, so this is 6.0pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests against 12.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are track rod end, position lamp and pins and bushes — track rod end alone was recorded 362 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 30.1% once past 150k — 3.4× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 31.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 26.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 566 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.4% | 375 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 373 |
| 4 | Steering | 10.4% | 316 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 193 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 165 |
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 | 362 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 252 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 172 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 169 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 164 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 141 |
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 | 31.9% | 967 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.0% | 667 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.1% | 638 |
| 4 | Other defects | 11.1% | 336 |
| 5 | Visibility | 9.3% | 281 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.9% | 209 |
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 | 57 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 350 | 25.1% |
| 60-90k | 700 | 28.1% |
| 90-120k | 823 | 30.7% |
| 120-150k | 513 | 30.8% |
| 150k+ | 581 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 618 | 26.5% |
| 2022 | 613 | 29.0% |
| 2023 | 619 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 606 | 30.5% |
| 2025 | 571 | 29.6% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Primastar
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.4% 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 (12.3% 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 2014 Nissan Primastars pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 3,027 2014 Nissan Primastar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Nissan Primastar?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by suspension (12.4%).
Does the 2014 Primastar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,027 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.