2004 Nissan Primera — MOT failures & pass rate
4,515 MOT tests on the 2004 Nissan Primera are in this dataset, and 72.8% of them passed. 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, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.9% of tests against 11.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 494 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.5% in the 0-30k band and 33.5% in the 150k+ band, a 22.9-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 26.2% fail against 29.9% for diesel, a 3.7-point gap across 4,515 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.1% 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 | 19.9% | 900 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.1% | 503 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.7% | 436 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.5% | 292 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 280 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 252 |
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 | 494 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 383 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 315 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 243 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 192 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 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 | Suspension | 35.1% | 1,586 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.1% | 1,539 |
| 3 | Tyres | 31.7% | 1,432 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.1% | 1,180 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.9% | 761 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.9% | 583 |
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 | 38 | 10.5% |
| 30-60k | 517 | 20.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,371 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,324 | 28.0% |
| 120-150k | 803 | 31.0% |
| 150k+ | 460 | 33.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 3,293 | 26.2% |
| Diesel | 1,222 | 29.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,476 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 1,104 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 846 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 622 | 26.7% |
| 2025 | 467 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Primera
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (11.1% 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 2004 Nissan Primeras pass their MOT?
72.8% of the 4,515 2004 Nissan Primera MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Nissan Primera?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.9% of tests, followed by brakes (11.1%).
Does the 2004 Primera get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.5% in the 0-30k band to 33.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,515 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.