2001 Nissan Primera — MOT failures & pass rate
1,432 MOT tests on the 2001 Nissan Primera are in this dataset, and 75.1% of them passed. That is 3.3 percentage points better than large family cars of a similar age, which fail at 28.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.8%) and brakes (10.3%) 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, wipers and chassis condition — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 109 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 40.0% versus 16.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 32.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.9% in 2021 to 21.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.8% | 183 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.3% | 148 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.7% | 139 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.8% | 98 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.9% | 84 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.8% | 83 |
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 | 109 |
| 2 | Wipers | 71 |
| 3 | Chassis condition | 67 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 64 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 63 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 63 |
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 | 32.4% | 464 |
| 2 | Tyres | 23.7% | 339 |
| 3 | Suspension | 21.6% | 309 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.7% | 296 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.7% | 196 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.5% | 165 |
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 | 300 | 16.7% |
| 60-90k | 489 | 23.1% |
| 90-120k | 403 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 169 | 32.5% |
| 150k+ | 45 | 40.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,398 | 24.8% |
| Diesel | 34 | 29.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 474 | 27.9% |
| 2022 | 329 | 22.5% |
| 2023 | 264 | 24.2% |
| 2024 | 195 | 25.1% |
| 2025 | 170 | 21.8% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Primera
On a 2001 Primera, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.7% 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+.
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 2001 Nissan Primeras pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 1,432 2001 Nissan Primera MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Nissan Primera?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by brakes (10.3%).
Does the 2001 Primera get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.7% in the 30-60k band to 40.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,432 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.