At a Glance
The Nissan Almera has 14 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the N16 (2000-2006) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 2.2M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Nissan Almera common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Nissan Almera generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Tell Us About Your Problem
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Browse Nissan Almera Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Most Common Nissan Almera MOT Failures
Every reason Nissan Almera vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 9.14% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.85% |
| 3 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.92% |
| 4 | Stop lamp not working | 6.68% |
| 5 | Front lamp not working | 5.33% |
| 6 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 5.30% |
| 7 | Exhaust system fault | 4.24% |
| 8 | Brake performance below minimum | 4.16% |
| 9 | Tyre condition | 4.11% |
| 10 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.94% |
| 11 | Driveshaft fault | 3.87% |
| 12 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.73% |
| 13 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.88% |
| 14 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 2.79% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.37% |
| 16 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.13% |
| 17 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.00% |
| 18 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.80% |
| 19 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.79% |
| 20 | Chassis condition | 1.53% |
| 21 | Headlamp fault | 1.19% |
| 22 | Track rod end worn | 1.13% |
| 23 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 0.79% |
| 24 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.75% |
| 25 | Parking brake condition | 0.75% |
| 26 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.75% |
| 27 | Position lamp not working | 0.74% |
| 28 | Airbag warning light on | 0.60% |
| 29 | Rear lamp not working | 0.55% |
| 30 | Fog lamp not working | 0.54% |
| 31 | Seat belt condition | 0.52% |
| 32 | Indicator fault | 0.50% |
| 33 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.50% |
| 34 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.48% |
| 35 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.42% |
| 36 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.40% |
| 37 | Front suspension fault | 0.40% |
| 38 | Steering rack fault | 0.36% |
| 39 | ABS fault | 0.35% |
| 40 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.34% |
| 41 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.33% |
| 42 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.33% |
| 43 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.31% |
| 44 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.30% |
| 45 | Horn not working | 0.25% |
| 46 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.19% |
| 47 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.17% |
| 48 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.14% |
| 49 | Brake caliper fault | 0.14% |
| 50 | Rear suspension fault | 0.13% |
| 51 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.13% |
| 52 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.11% |
| 53 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.10% |
| 54 | Brake fluid leak | 0.10% |
| 55 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.08% |
| 56 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.08% |
| 57 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 58 | Brake lever fault | 0.07% |
| 59 | Steering lock fault | 0.07% |
| 60 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.06% |
| 61 | Body security fault | 0.06% |
| 62 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.06% |
| 63 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.05% |
| 64 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.05% |
| 65 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 66 | Brake pedal fault | 0.04% |
| 67 | CV joint worn | 0.04% |
| 68 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.04% |
| 69 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 70 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 71 | Power steering pump fault | 0.03% |
| 72 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.03% |
| 73 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.03% |
| 74 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 75 | Engine oil leak | 0.03% |
| 76 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 77 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 78 | Driver airbag fault | 0.03% |
| 79 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 80 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.02% |
| 81 | Electrical switch fault | 0.02% |
| 82 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 83 | Power steering ram fault | 0.02% |
| 84 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 85 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 87 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 88 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.02% |
| 89 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.02% |
| 90 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 91 | Suspension unit fault | 0.01% |
| 92 | Steering arm worn | 0.01% |
| 93 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.01% |
| 94 | Driver door fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 96 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 97 | Steering free play excessive | <0.01% |
| 98 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 99 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 100 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 101 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 102 | Drag link end worn | <0.01% |
| 103 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 108 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 114 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 115 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 117 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 118 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 119 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 121 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 122 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 125 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 127 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 134 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 139 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 140 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 143 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 145 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 149 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 150 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 154 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 156 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 162 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 164 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 168 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 169 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 170 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 171 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 172 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 177 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 179 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 181 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 182 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 183 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 184 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 186 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 187 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 188 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 190 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 192 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 192 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Nissan Almera MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Nissan Almera, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Nissan Almera problems?
Based on analysis of 2.2M Nissan Almera MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 14 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Suspension component mounting corroded". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Nissan Almera generation has the most problems?
The Nissan Almera N16 (2000-2006) (2000–2006) has the highest number of identified common problems (13). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Nissan Almera?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Nissan Almera owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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