Used car guide

2004 Nissan Almera: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Nissan Almeras, from 2,828 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,828MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
4,100typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Nissan Almeras than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Braking performance2× usual
    Nissan Almera
    14% All 2004 cars
    6.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.7% of all 2004 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.

  • Brake pads1.8× usual
    Nissan Almera
    12.6% All 2004 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Airbag warning light3.8× usual
    Nissan Almera
    6.1% All 2004 cars
    1.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 1.4% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Track rod ends1.7× usual
    Nissan Almera
    11.1% All 2004 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2.9% of all 2004 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.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 7.9% here, against 15.8% of all 2004 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.6% here, against 9.5% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Nissan Almera MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    43% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    39% 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.

  • Tyres
    34% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    12% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Nissan Almera?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20061,017Brakes 48%
20053,618Lights and electrics 46%
20031,461Brakes 38%
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 2004 Nissan Almeras registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score