Nissan Primastar Reliability and Common Problems
What the Nissan Primastar fails its MOT on, with rough repair costs, and its MOT pass rate for each model year. Based on 18,019 MOT tests across 13 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: family car | Fuel: Diesel, Petrol
68%
Nissan Primastar pass rate
81%
Nissan average
82%
All-model average
The Nissan Primastar has an average MOT pass rate of 68%, which is 13 points below the Nissan average and 14 points below the average across all models in our data. The Nissan Primastar has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.
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What the Nissan Primastar Fails Its MOT On
Of the 3,959 MOT tests on the Nissan Primastar that failed at the first attempt in 2025, the share that failed on each part of the test, next to the share for all cars and vans of the same ages. A test that failed on two areas counts in both.
Lights and electrics
56%Cars and vans the same age: 47% · Typical repair £15-£200
Suspension
49%Cars and vans the same age: 40% · Typical repair £150-£600
Brakes
40%Cars and vans the same age: 26% (the Primastar fails on this more often) · Typical repair £80-£450
Steering
23%Cars and vans the same age: 8.6% (the Primastar fails on this more often) · Typical repair £100-£500
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors
20%Cars and vans the same age: 16% (the Primastar fails on this more often) · Typical repair £10-£350
The 3 single faults it failed on most
- Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play (18% of failed tests, steering)
- Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (18% of failed tests, suspension)
- Position lamp: not working (16% of failed tests, lights and electrics)
Source: CarCostCheck analysis of DVSA anonymised MOT test results and failure items for 2025: first attempt at each MOT, fail and pass-after-repair defects, DVSA's defect categories (names shortened). Repair costs are rough UK ranges, not quotes. Method and national figures: MOT failure reasons 2025.
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Nissan Primastar Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
Highest Pass Rate
2009
69% pass rate from 1,470 tests
Level with 2014
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Nissan Primastar FAQ
What are the most common Nissan Primastar problems?
In 2025, MOT tests on the Nissan Primastar that failed at the first attempt most often failed on lights and electrics (56% of the 3,959 failed tests), suspension (49%) and brakes (40%). The single most common fault was "Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play" (18%). Across 18,019 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 68% ended in a pass.
Is the Nissan Primastar reliable?
The Nissan Primastar has an average MOT pass rate of 68%, from 18,019 MOT tests. That is 14 points below the average across all models in our data (82%), so budget for potential repairs. Pass rates fall as cars age, so compare it with cars of a similar age.
Which year Nissan Primastar is the most reliable?
Of the years with at least 100 tests that were old enough for a routine MOT, the 2009 Nissan Primastar has the highest MOT pass rate: 69% of its 1,470 tests ended in a pass. The 2014 is level on 69%. The 2010 has the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so the pass rate is only part of the picture.
How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Primastar faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on a Nissan Primastar typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
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Other Nissan Models
Common problems pages for other Nissan models