Used car guide

2012 Nissan Primastar: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Nissan Primastars, from 466 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 466 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

466MOT tests in 2025
51%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
10,500typical miles a year
3.8×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Nissan Primastars than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.8× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    21% All 2012 cars
    5.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 0.8% of all 2012 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.

  • Track rod ends3.6× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    17.8% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.5%, against 2.4% of all 2012 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.

  • Ball joint2.9× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    16.3% All 2012 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 3% of all 2012 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.

  • Brake lights3.3× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    12.7% All 2012 cars
    3.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 3% of all 2012 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    13.1% All 2012 cars
    4.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

By area

The share of 2012 Nissan Primastar MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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
    47% 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
    39% 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
    30% 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
    18% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Driveshafts and joints
    13% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Nissan Primastar?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022660Brakes 23%
2014419Suspension 49%
2013461Suspension 58%
2011823Suspension 54%
2010387Suspension 52%
2009646Suspension 54%
2008756Brakes 60%
20071,090Suspension 60%
2006850Suspension 59%
2005804Suspension 58%
2004598Suspension 62%
2003382Suspension 61%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Nissan Primastars registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score