NISSAN PRIMERA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 492 MOT tests from 29 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every NISSAN PRIMERA has the same fault.

NISSAN PRIMERA's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 539/999. The score was calculated from the average of every NISSAN PRIMERA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the NISSAN PRIMERA.

NISSAN PRIMERA (example)

Check a Nissan Primera before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Service history
Dealer & service records
MOT records
Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
Check for insurance write-offs
Finance check
Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	618/999Good	95,350 miles	946 vehicles
N/A	N/A	598/999Above average	93,451 miles	1,365 vehicles
N/A	N/A	579/999Above average	90,547 miles	1,828 vehicles
N/A	N/A	573/999Above average	98,665 miles	509 vehicles
N/A	N/A	545/999Above average	83,266 miles	4,851 vehicles
N/A	N/A	518/999Above average	93,351 miles	661 vehicles
N/A	N/A	493/999Average	85,748 miles	2,596 vehicles
N/A	N/A	476/999Average	86,489 miles	1,704 vehicles
N/A	N/A	452/999Average	86,364 miles	911 vehicles

How reliable is the NISSAN PRIMERA?

Based on 492 MOT tests from 29 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

MOT tests

492

Pass rate

73.6%

Median mileage

105,917 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every NISSAN PRIMERA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 457 out of 999.

Common NISSAN PRIMERA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 102 advisory comments and 15 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO THE LEGAL LIMIT (4.1.E.1)

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 25 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (6.3.1D)

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 8 advisory comments and 10 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE LEVER HAS LITTLE RESERVE TRAVEL (3.1.6B)

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 advisory comments and 3 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (3.5.1G)

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Exhaust

VehicleScore MOT data includes 8 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: REAR EXHAUST HAS A MINOR LEAK OF EXHAUST GASES (7.1.2)

Emissions test issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 6 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an exhaust emissions result. They are counted separately from a warning lamp or a catalytic converter note.

What to inspect

Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST EMISSIONS CARBON MONOXIDE CONTENT AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE EXCESSIVE (7.3.D.3)

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 6 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE STOP LAMP NOT WORKING (1.2.1B)

NISSAN PRIMERA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Not enough VehicleScore data for year-by-year conclusions.

What to check when buying a used NISSAN PRIMERA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.
Emissions test issues. Ask for the emissions printout and whether any repair followed a failed test.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Buying a NISSAN PRIMERA?

Common problems tell you what can affect NISSAN PRIMERAs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

Browse Other NISSAN Models

← Back to Reliability Check