2000 Nissan Almera: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Nissan Almeras, from 209 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 209 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Nissan Almeras than on all cars registered in 2000.
- Braking performance2.5× usualNissan Almera18.2% All 2000 cars7.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 3.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
- Number plates2.1× usualNissan Almera14.4% All 2000 cars6.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 0.7% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
By area
The share of 2000 Nissan Almera MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes45% 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.
- Suspension44% 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.
- Tyres36% 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.
- Lights and electrics33% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Rust and bodywork23% 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.
- Oil and fluid leaks15% of testsRough price £80–£600
At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
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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% |
| 1999 | 128 | Brakes 44% |
| 1998 | 126 | Brakes 41% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2000 Nissan Almeras registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score