2003 Nissan Primera — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,594 MOT tests, the 2003 Nissan Primera recorded a 71.7% pass rate. Large family cars of a similar age fail at 28.1%, so the 2003 Primera sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 20.6% of all tests — 8.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 388 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 15.6% in the 0-30k band and 32.7% in the 150k+ band, a 17.1-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 34.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.5% in 2021 to 26.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.6% | 741 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 444 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.7% | 349 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 293 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.0% | 250 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 227 |
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 | 388 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 364 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 237 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 222 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 217 |
| 6 | Wipers | 185 |
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 | 34.9% | 1,253 |
| 2 | Suspension | 33.5% | 1,203 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.0% | 1,041 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.9% | 965 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.6% | 632 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.8% | 567 |
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 | 64 | 15.6% |
| 30-60k | 493 | 23.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,163 | 27.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,175 | 30.2% |
| 120-150k | 488 | 30.9% |
| 150k+ | 208 | 32.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,215 | 28.2% |
| Diesel | 379 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,167 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 862 | 28.0% |
| 2023 | 676 | 29.1% |
| 2024 | 510 | 28.0% |
| 2025 | 379 | 26.9% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Primera
On a 2003 Primera, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (20.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- 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.
- Suspension (9.7% 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 2003 Nissan Primeras pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 3,594 2003 Nissan Primera MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Nissan Primera?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.6% of tests, followed by brakes (12.3%).
Does the 2003 Primera get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.6% in the 0-30k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,594 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.