2000 Nissan Primera — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2000 Nissan Primera passed 71.1% of its 781 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (28.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.3%) and body, structure & corrosion (12.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, joints and wipers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 114 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 30.0% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 34.5% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.9% 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 | 13.3% | 104 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.9% | 101 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.3% | 96 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.3% | 96 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 7.3% | 57 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.9% | 46 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 114 |
| 2 | Joints | 59 |
| 3 | Wipers | 42 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 41 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 37 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
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 | 35.9% | 280 |
| 2 | Suspension | 27.7% | 216 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 25.4% | 198 |
| 4 | Tyres | 24.3% | 190 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.9% | 132 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.9% | 124 |
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 | 30 | 30.0% |
| 30-60k | 163 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 271 | 31.4% |
| 90-120k | 167 | 31.7% |
| 120-150k | 92 | 39.1% |
| 150k+ | 58 | 34.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 293 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 196 | 27.6% |
| 2023 | 134 | 27.6% |
| 2024 | 92 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 66 | 30.3% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Primera
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 13.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (13.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (12.9% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (12.3% 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.
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 2000 Nissan Primeras pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 781 2000 Nissan Primera MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Nissan Primera?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.3% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (12.9%).
Does the 2000 Primera get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.0% in the 0-30k band to 34.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 781 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.