At a Glance
The Nissan Primastar has 50 identified common problems across 2 generations, with the Mk1 (2001-2014) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 243K 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 Primastar 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 Primastar 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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Browse Nissan Primastar Generations
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Most Common Nissan Primastar MOT Failures
Every reason Nissan Primastar 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 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 10.37% |
| 2 | Brake pads or linings worn | 6.10% |
| 3 | Brake performance below minimum | 5.86% |
| 4 | Number plate lamp not working | 5.68% |
| 5 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 5.41% |
| 6 | Tyre condition | 5.31% |
| 7 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 5.17% |
| 8 | Stop lamp not working | 4.10% |
| 9 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.25% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 3.20% |
| 11 | Track rod end worn | 3.17% |
| 12 | Position lamp not working | 3.13% |
| 13 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 2.83% |
| 14 | Front lamp not working | 2.71% |
| 15 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.53% |
| 16 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.45% |
| 17 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 2.43% |
| 18 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.25% |
| 19 | Headlamp fault | 2.19% |
| 20 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 1.66% |
| 21 | Ball joint dust cover split | 1.40% |
| 22 | Rear lamp not working | 1.23% |
| 23 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.92% |
| 24 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.89% |
| 25 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.86% |
| 26 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.81% |
| 27 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.80% |
| 28 | Front suspension fault | 0.62% |
| 29 | Steering rack fault | 0.60% |
| 30 | Airbag warning light on | 0.58% |
| 31 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.57% |
| 32 | Parking brake condition | 0.54% |
| 33 | Rear suspension fault | 0.54% |
| 34 | Seat belt condition | 0.52% |
| 35 | Exhaust system fault | 0.50% |
| 36 | Horn not working | 0.50% |
| 37 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.49% |
| 38 | Fog lamp not working | 0.43% |
| 39 | ABS fault | 0.40% |
| 40 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.34% |
| 41 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.34% |
| 42 | Indicator fault | 0.33% |
| 43 | Brake pedal fault | 0.33% |
| 44 | Chassis condition | 0.33% |
| 45 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.32% |
| 46 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.29% |
| 47 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.24% |
| 48 | Engine oil leak | 0.22% |
| 49 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.21% |
| 50 | Brake lever fault | 0.17% |
| 51 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.16% |
| 52 | Steering free play excessive | 0.15% |
| 53 | Drag link end worn | 0.14% |
| 54 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.12% |
| 55 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.12% |
| 56 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.12% |
| 57 | Brake caliper fault | 0.12% |
| 58 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.12% |
| 59 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.11% |
| 60 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.11% |
| 61 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.10% |
| 62 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.10% |
| 63 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.10% |
| 64 | Electrical switch fault | 0.10% |
| 65 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.10% |
| 66 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.08% |
| 67 | Driver seat fault | 0.07% |
| 68 | Power steering pump fault | 0.07% |
| 69 | Steering operation fault | 0.07% |
| 70 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.07% |
| 71 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.07% |
| 72 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.07% |
| 73 | Steering arm worn | 0.07% |
| 74 | Front passenger door fault | 0.07% |
| 75 | Brake fluid leak | 0.06% |
| 76 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.06% |
| 77 | Driver door fault | 0.06% |
| 78 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.06% |
| 79 | Propshaft fault | 0.05% |
| 80 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.05% |
| 81 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.05% |
| 82 | Towbar fault | 0.05% |
| 83 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 84 | Driver airbag fault | 0.04% |
| 85 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 86 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.04% |
| 87 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.04% |
| 88 | Spare wheel fault | 0.04% |
| 89 | Loading door damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 90 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.04% |
| 91 | Steering lock fault | 0.04% |
| 92 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 94 | Passenger seat fault | 0.03% |
| 95 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.02% |
| 98 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 99 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.02% |
| 100 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 101 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 103 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.02% |
| 104 | Exhaust leak | 0.02% |
| 105 | Universal joint worn | 0.02% |
| 106 | Main beam warning light fault | 0.02% |
| 107 | Mirror or camera fault | 0.02% |
| 108 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.01% |
| 109 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Dip switch fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 112 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.01% |
| 113 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 114 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 115 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 116 | Passenger airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 117 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 118 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 121 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 122 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 124 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 125 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 127 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 131 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 133 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 137 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 138 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | <0.01% |
| 141 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 144 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 145 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 148 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 149 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 150 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 152 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 153 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 155 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Step damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 157 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 161 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 162 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 168 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 172 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 176 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 177 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 178 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 178 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Nissan Primastar MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Nissan Primastar, 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 Primastar problems?
Based on analysis of 243K Nissan Primastar MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 50 identified common problems across 2 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Track rod end worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Nissan Primastar generation has the most problems?
The Nissan Primastar Mk1 (2001-2014) (2001–2014) has the highest number of identified common problems (58). 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 Primastar?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Nissan Primastar owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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