2002 Nissan Primera — MOT failures & pass rate
2,912 MOT tests on the 2002 Nissan Primera are in this dataset, and 71.0% of them passed. That is effectively the same as large family cars of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.0% of tests against 13.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and stop lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 276 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 27.3% in the 0-30k band and 35.4% in the 150k+ band, a 8.1-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 38.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.1% in 2021 to 24.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.0% | 582 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.3% | 386 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.1% | 323 |
| 4 | Visibility | 7.0% | 203 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 191 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 175 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 276 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 268 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 201 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 169 |
| 5 | Wipers | 162 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 159 |
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 | 38.1% | 1,109 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.8% | 1,042 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.2% | 793 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.4% | 651 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.7% | 516 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.4% | 479 |
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 | 55 | 27.3% |
| 30-60k | 485 | 22.9% |
| 60-90k | 986 | 27.8% |
| 90-120k | 853 | 31.4% |
| 120-150k | 345 | 31.9% |
| 150k+ | 181 | 35.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,751 | 28.7% |
| Diesel | 161 | 32.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 929 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 742 | 31.7% |
| 2023 | 555 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 425 | 30.8% |
| 2025 | 261 | 24.5% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Primera
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.3% 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.
- Suspension (11.1% 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.
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 2002 Nissan Primeras pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 2,912 2002 Nissan Primera MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Nissan Primera?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.0% of tests, followed by brakes (13.3%).
Does the 2002 Primera get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.3% in the 0-30k band to 35.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,912 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.