Used car guide

2003 Nissan Almera: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Nissan Almeras, from 1,461 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,461MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
3,800typical miles a year
1.9×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Nissan Almeras than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Braking performance1.9× usual
    Nissan Almera
    13.4% All 2003 cars
    7.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Track rod ends1.9× usual
    Nissan Almera
    11.9% All 2003 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Battery2.5× usual
    Nissan Almera
    3.3% All 2003 cars
    1.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the car starts cleanly and there are no warning lights once running.

  • Corroded fuel pipes2.9× usual
    Nissan Almera
    2.3% All 2003 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 3.6% here, against 8.7% of all 2003 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.6% here, against 6.6% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Nissan Almera MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    38% 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.

  • Suspension
    38% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    36% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    35% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    15% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    14% 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.

Looking at a Nissan Almera?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20061,017Brakes 48%
20053,618Lights and electrics 46%
20042,828Brakes 43%
20021,267Suspension 44%
2001511Brakes 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Nissan Almeras registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score