Used car guide

2013 Nissan Primastar: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Nissan Primastars, from 461 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 461 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

461MOT tests in 2025
41%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
10,200typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Nissan Primastars than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Rigid brake pipes4.5× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    21.3% All 2013 cars
    4.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 0.6% of all 2013 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 ends4.3× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    20.6% All 2013 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 14.8%, against 2.4% of all 2013 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 joint3× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    15.2% All 2013 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10%, against 2.7% of all 2013 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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.3× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    10.8% All 2013 cars
    3.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.8%, against 1.7% of all 2013 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.

  • Steering rack inner joints3.9× usual
    Nissan Primastar
    8.5% All 2013 cars
    2.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2013 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.

By area

The share of 2013 Nissan Primastar MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    58% 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
    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
    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
    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
    19% 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
    11% 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?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022660Brakes 23%
2014419Suspension 49%
2012466Suspension 50%
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 2013 Nissan Primastars registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score