Used car guide

2003 Nissan Primera: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Nissan Primeras, from 303 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 303 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

303MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
4,200typical miles a year
2.3×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Nissan Primeras than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Headlights2.3× usual
    Nissan Primera
    27.7% All 2003 cars
    12.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.2%, against 4.4% of all 2003 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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints4.3× usual
    Nissan Primera
    13.9% All 2003 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.1% of all 2003 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.

By area

The share of 2003 Nissan Primera MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    50% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Suspension
    46% 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
    41% 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.

  • Tyres
    33% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% 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.

Looking at a Nissan Primera?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006372Lights and electrics 51%
2005530Lights and electrics 45%
2004362Lights and electrics 47%
2002212Brakes 47%
2001142Brakes 36%
1999161Suspension 48%
1998158Brakes 38%
1997104Brakes 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Nissan Primeras registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score