Used car guide · 2002–2025

Nissan Primastar common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Nissan Primastar, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 27,363 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2023 Nissan Primastar

Cars registered in 2023 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. 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 Primastar as a whole.

10on the UK register at the end of 2025
2026first MOT due
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 2023 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

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).

20252024202320222014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002

What usually goes wrong with a Nissan Primastar?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Nissan Primastar 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 Primastar MOT failures to check

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

  • Track rod ends

    up to 4.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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 joint

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 5.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

    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.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 6.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2005 and 2022.

    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.

Nissan Primastar MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2006 Nissan Primastar did best (49% passed first time, 7 points below all 2006 cars) and the 2013 did worst (45%, 22 points below all 2013 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202279%89% -10666
201451%70% -191,304
201345%67% -221,476
201247%64% -171,468
201146%62% -162,722
201045%60% -151,276
200947%59% -122,220
200848%57% -92,620
200748%57% -93,880
200649%56% -73,148
200546%57% -112,887
200447%57% -102,188
200346%57% -111,397
200244%58% -14111 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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 track rod ends? (Flagged at MOT 4.8× as often on the Nissan Primastar as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Nissan Primastar as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 5.9× as often on the Nissan Primastar as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Nissan Primastar?

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