Used car guide

2006 Nissan Almera: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Nissan Almeras, from 1,017 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,017MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
4,500typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2006 Nissan Almeras than on all cars registered in 2006.

  • Braking performance2.5× usual
    Nissan Almera
    16.7% All 2006 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.6% of all 2006 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 ends2.1× usual
    Nissan Almera
    11.8% All 2006 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.1%, against 2.4% of all 2006 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.

  • Suspension arm2.3× usual
    Nissan Almera
    8.8% All 2006 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes4.6× usual
    Nissan Almera
    5.1% All 2006 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.3% here, against 11.2% of all 2006 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 4.4% here, against 11.1% of all 2006 cars.

By area

The share of 2006 Nissan Almera MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    48% 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
    41% 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
    41% 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
    37% 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
    14% 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
20053,618Lights and electrics 46%
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 2006 Nissan Almeras registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score