Used car guide

2005 Nissan Almera: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Nissan Almeras, from 3,618 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,618MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
4,200typical miles a year
1.6×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Nissan Almeras than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Headlights1.6× usual
    Nissan Almera
    23.2% All 2005 cars
    14.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.6%, against 4.9% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Brake pads1.9× usual
    Nissan Almera
    14.4% All 2005 cars
    7.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.8% of all 2005 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.

  • Braking performance1.8× usual
    Nissan Almera
    12.4% All 2005 cars
    6.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.7% of all 2005 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 ends1.8× usual
    Nissan Almera
    11.2% All 2005 cars
    6.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 2.6% of all 2005 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

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2% here, against 10.7% of all 2005 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.6% here, against 7.3% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Nissan Almera MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    46% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Suspension
    40% 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
    36% 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.

  • Steering
    14% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Looking at a Nissan Almera?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20061,017Brakes 48%
20042,828Brakes 43%
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 2005 Nissan Almeras registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score