1998 Nissan Almera: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Nissan Almeras, from 126 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 126 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What gets flagged at MOT
The share of 1998 Nissan Almera MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes41% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Suspension40% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Tyres34% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Rust and bodywork25% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
- Driveshafts and joints17% of testsRough price £60–£350
At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
- Lights and electrics14% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,017 | Brakes 48% |
| 2005 | 3,618 | Lights and electrics 46% |
| 2004 | 2,828 | Brakes 43% |
| 2003 | 1,461 | Suspension 38% |
| 2002 | 1,267 | Suspension 44% |
| 2001 | 511 | Suspension 37% |
| 2000 | 209 | Brakes 45% |
| 1999 | 128 | Brakes 44% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Nissan Almeras registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score