Is the Nissan Primera reliable?

The Nissan Primera has an average MOT pass rate of 72% across 16 years, based on 6,903 tests in 2026. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 1995 with a 78% pass rate.

Which year Nissan Primera is best?

The 1995 Nissan Primera has the highest MOT pass rate at 78%, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 59%. There's a 19 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Nissan Primera

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 16 years from 6,903 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

72%

Total Tests

6,903

Best Year

1995 (78%)

Years Covered

About the Nissan Primera

The Nissan Primera has been tested 6,903 times in 2026 MOT data across 16 model years (1991 to 2006), with an average pass rate of 72%. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Available as petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 1995 model is the most reliable with a 78% pass rate from 54 tests. The 1993 model has the lowest at 59%. With a 19 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

The NISSAN PRIMERA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1991) averages 84,924 miles, while the newest (2006) averages 93,864 miles.

Compared to the Nissan brand average of 81%, the Primera is 9 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Nissan models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1769cc)

£1,327

Road Tax

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,197

Per month£183/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2006 details

How reliable is the Nissan Primera?

vs national average-10% (82% avg)

vs Nissan brand average-9% (81% avg)

Best to worst year spread19 percentage points

Reliability trendStable over years

Nissan Primera by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2006	71%	876	93,864 mi
2005	70%	1,346	96,366 mi
2004	73%	884	101,219 mi
2003	71%	778	97,457 mi
2002	69%	573	93,604 mi
2001	71%	266	86,445 mi
2000	63%	153	91,010 mi
1999	72%	614	94,917 mi
1998	75%	661	98,694 mi
1997	74%	413	95,198 mi
1996	74%	119	102,610 mi
1995	78%	54	86,506 mi
1994	76%	34	71,893 mi
1993	59%	56	98,848 mi
1992	70%	40	86,859 mi
1991	78%	36	84,924 mi