Used car guide · 1995–2007

Nissan Almera common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Nissan Almera, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 43,587 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2007 Nissan Almera

Too few Nissan Almera cars first registered in 2007 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Nissan Almera as a whole.

12on the UK register at the end of 2025
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 2007 car
  • MOT history

    Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.

  • Service history

    Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.

  • Finance and write-offs

    MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.

  • Test drive

    Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2007200620052004200320022001200019991998199719961995

What usually goes wrong with a Nissan Almera?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Nissan Almera in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Nissan Almera MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Braking performance

    up to 2.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    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 ends

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings

    up to 2.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

    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.

  • Individual direction indicators

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

    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.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2004 and 2005.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Chassis rust or damage

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999 and 2001.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Nissan Almera MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2006 Nissan Almera did best (56% passed first time, 0 points above all 2006 cars) and the 2005 did worst (55%, 2 points below all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200656%56% +03,840
200555%57% -213,653
200456%57% -110,763
200357%57% +05,913
200255%58% -35,108
200157%60% -32,089
200054%61% -7840
199954%63% -9504
199860%65% -5462 (small sample)
199752%65% -13254 (small sample)
199648%66% -18161 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Nissan Almera

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Nissan Almera as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the Nissan Almera as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the Nissan Almera as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Nissan Almera?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score