Used car guide

2006 Nissan Primastar: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2006 Nissan Primastars, from 850 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

850MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2006 cars: 57%)
8,000typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What stands out

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

  • Engine oil leaks2.2× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    29.5% All 2006 cars
    13.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Ball joint3.2× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    20.7% All 2006 cars
    6.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.1%, against 3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Track rod ends3.1× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    17.4% All 2006 cars
    5.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.5%, 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.1× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    12.2% All 2006 cars
    3.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    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

Exhaust system: 2.6% here, against 9.4% 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 Primastar MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    59% 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.

  • Brakes
    50% 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
    45% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    30% 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.

  • Tyres
    29% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    21% 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 Primastar?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022660Brakes 23%
2011823Suspension 54%
2009646Suspension 54%
2008756Brakes 60%
20071,090Suspension 60%
2005804Suspension 58%
2004598Suspension 62%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2006 Nissan Primastars registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score