Nissan
Primera
6,913 MOT tests analysed. runs below the UK fleet average — here's where Primeras pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 12.4 points below the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — buyers should expect more first-time fails than the typical UK car.
Pass
65.1%
Pass-after-fix
6.4%
Fail
27.4%
Avg miles
95,915
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
This model's production run straddles the January 2006 Euro 4 cutoff. Individual cars vary — check your registration plate on the government's ULEZ checker. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Primera: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 5,576 MOT tests, the Primera returns 65.6% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a defective headlamp lens. Headlamp aim out of spec and the strength or continuity of the load bearing round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 95,403, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 14–22
Below the fleet average — generally reasonable to insure. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
14–22
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
414 occurrences · 6.0% of tests
- 02
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
346 occurrences · 5.0% of tests
- 03
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
278 occurrences · 4.0% of tests
- 04
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
271 occurrences · 3.9% of tests
- 05
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
221 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 06
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
176 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 07
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
171 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 08
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
163 occurrences · 2.4% of tests
- 09
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
162 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 10
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
157 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£28–£195
If every one of this Primera's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Headlight restoration kit
Yellowed lenses fail the light-output test. A restoration kit lifts the haze in an afternoon for £20.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
H7 / W21W bulb pack
A spare-bulb kit lives in the boot. Test morning is not the time to find your stop-lamp's gone.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Summit
Summit ASRG-1005 Nissan Replacement Stick-On Wide Angle Mirror Glass RHS
£24.19
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ASRG-1004BH Nissan Replacement Wide Angle Mirror Glass with Heated Backing Plate LHS
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ASRG-1005BH Nissan Replacement Wide Angle Mirror Glass with Heated Backing Plate RHS
£32.99
View at My Motor World →
Hycote
Hycote Touch Up Colour Paint Brush Nissan Intense Blue Metallic 12.5ml
£6.59
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Buying or keeping a Primera?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Primera and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.