At a Glance
The Nissan Primera has 12 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the P11 (1996-2002) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 1.3M 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 Primera 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 Primera 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.
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Nissan Primera owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Tell Us About Your Problem
Help other Nissan Primera owners — report a problem and we'll add it to the database
Looking for a garage to repair your Nissan Primera?
Search our directory of 12,000+ UK garages by service and postcode — every garage has verified Google reviews.
Browse Nissan Primera Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
Most Common Nissan Primera MOT Failures
Every reason Nissan Primera 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 | 7.70% |
| 2 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.47% |
| 3 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 6.76% |
| 4 | Brake performance below minimum | 6.55% |
| 5 | Number plate lamp not working | 6.50% |
| 6 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.99% |
| 7 | Stop lamp not working | 5.97% |
| 8 | Front lamp not working | 5.07% |
| 9 | Exhaust system fault | 4.73% |
| 10 | Headlamp aim defect | 4.38% |
| 11 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.76% |
| 12 | Driveshaft fault | 3.52% |
| 13 | Tyre condition | 3.38% |
| 14 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 3.25% |
| 15 | Suspension mounting corroded | 2.56% |
| 16 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.37% |
| 17 | Brake disc or drum worn | 1.73% |
| 18 | Rear lamp not working | 1.35% |
| 19 | Track rod end worn | 1.26% |
| 20 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.05% |
| 21 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.02% |
| 22 | Indicator fault | 0.95% |
| 23 | Seat belt condition | 0.80% |
| 24 | Chassis condition | 0.72% |
| 25 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.69% |
| 26 | Parking brake condition | 0.69% |
| 27 | Fog lamp not working | 0.62% |
| 28 | Airbag warning light on | 0.55% |
| 29 | Position lamp not working | 0.52% |
| 30 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.46% |
| 31 | ABS fault | 0.45% |
| 32 | Front suspension fault | 0.45% |
| 33 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.43% |
| 34 | Headlamp fault | 0.41% |
| 35 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.40% |
| 36 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.35% |
| 37 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.34% |
| 38 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.33% |
| 39 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.28% |
| 40 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.26% |
| 41 | Steering rack fault | 0.26% |
| 42 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.26% |
| 43 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.22% |
| 44 | Horn not working | 0.21% |
| 45 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.21% |
| 46 | Brake caliper fault | 0.17% |
| 47 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.15% |
| 48 | Rear suspension fault | 0.14% |
| 49 | Brake fluid leak | 0.13% |
| 50 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.13% |
| 51 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.13% |
| 52 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.12% |
| 53 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.09% |
| 54 | Steering lock fault | 0.08% |
| 55 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.08% |
| 56 | Body security fault | 0.08% |
| 57 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.07% |
| 58 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.07% |
| 59 | CV joint worn | 0.06% |
| 60 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.06% |
| 61 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.06% |
| 62 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.05% |
| 63 | Power steering ram fault | 0.05% |
| 64 | Brake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 65 | Power steering pump fault | 0.04% |
| 66 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.04% |
| 67 | Electrical switch fault | 0.04% |
| 68 | Brake pedal fault | 0.04% |
| 69 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.04% |
| 70 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.04% |
| 71 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.04% |
| 72 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.04% |
| 73 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.04% |
| 74 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.04% |
| 75 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 76 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.03% |
| 77 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 78 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.03% |
| 79 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.03% |
| 80 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.03% |
| 81 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.02% |
| 82 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 83 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 84 | Steering free play excessive | 0.02% |
| 85 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 86 | Engine oil leak | 0.02% |
| 87 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 88 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.01% |
| 89 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 90 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 91 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.01% |
| 92 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 93 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 94 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.01% |
| 95 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 96 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 97 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 98 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 99 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 100 | Headlamp levelling device fault | <0.01% |
| 101 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 102 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 103 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 104 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 105 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Handbrake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 107 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | <0.01% |
| 110 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 112 | Electronic stability control fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 114 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 119 | Steering column fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 122 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 124 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 125 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 130 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 132 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 136 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 140 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 141 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 142 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 143 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 144 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 145 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 146 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 147 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 148 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 152 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 154 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 158 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 159 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 160 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 162 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 164 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 166 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 170 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 172 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 175 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 176 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 178 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 179 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 180 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 181 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 182 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 183 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 184 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 186 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 187 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 188 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 189 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 190 | Securing bolts missing or insecure | <0.01% |
| 191 | Steering linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 192 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 192 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Nissan Primera MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Nissan Primera, 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.
Join as a car owner — free
Get MOT reminders, a pre-MOT checklist, and tools to compare garages near you.
MOT Reminders
Free email alerts 28 and 7 days before your MOT expires.
44-Point MOT Checklist
Printable checklist to inspect your car before the test.
Save Favourite Garages
Save garages you trust and compare their ratings side by side.
Already a member? Sign in
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Nissan Primera problems?
Based on analysis of 1.3M Nissan Primera MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 12 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Driveshaft fault". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Nissan Primera generation has the most problems?
The Nissan Primera P11 (1996-2002) (1996–2002) has the highest number of identified common problems (7). 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 Primera?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Nissan Primera owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
Search Vehicles With Common Problems
Find common car problems, MOT failures, and advisories for any make and model
