2022 Nissan Primastar: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2022 Nissan Primastar?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2022 Nissan Primastar than on all cars registered in 2022.

• Brake pads4× usual
  Nissan Primastar

  18.3% All 2022 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 0.8% of all 2022 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Shock absorbers6.4× usual
  Nissan Primastar

  7.7% All 2022 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 0.2% of all 2022 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Number plate lights12.4× usual
  Nissan Primastar

  6.2% All 2022 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 0.2% of all 2022 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Brake lights16× usual
  Nissan Primastar

  4.8% All 2022 cars

  0.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.2% of all 2022 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.

• Windscreen3.1× usual
  Nissan Primastar

  5% All 2022 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2022 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Common 2022 Nissan Primastar MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2022 Nissan Primastar MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  23% 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
  22% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  17% 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
  14% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  1% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2022 Nissan Primastar

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

1. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2022 Nissan Primastar as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 6.4× as often on the 2022 Nissan Primastar as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 12.4× as often on the 2022 Nissan Primastar as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?