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Nissan Primera P11
Common Car Problems, MOT Failures & Pass Rate Data

7 identified problems190 MOT failure types659K MOT tests analysed1996–2002

Sources: DVSA MOT Test Data + owner-submitted problems

At a Glance

The Nissan Primera P11 has 7 identified problems that occur more often than the UK average, with Driveshaft fault being the most reported. Electrical is the most common MOT failure category. Based on 659K MOT tests from DVSA data.

Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on this model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read how we calculate MOT pass rates and problems →

Below: the full MOT-data picture for the Nissan Primera P11 — MOT pass rate vs the UK average, common problems vs UK fleet patterns, the most likely MOT failures by frequency, fault occurrence by mileage band, and pass/fail trends. All numbers drawn from DVSA records.

Nissan Primera P11 MOT Pass Rate

Across 659K MOT tests from DVSA data, the Nissan Primera P11 (1996–2002) has a fail rate of 47.0%.

All-time UK average fail rate: 34.9%

349K passed310K failed

Common Nissan Primera P11 Problems

Owner-submitted reports plus patterns we've identified across 559 million UK MOT tests. Each MOT-derived item below — whether tagged as a Problem, Wear & Tear or Consumable — shows up noticeably more often on this generation than across the UK fleet, which is why it's here. Owner reports are pinned to the top by default; use the sort and filter pills below to view a specific tier or change the order.

Tier:
Sort by:
Tier:MOT ProblemMOT ProblemUnexpected failure — a pattern we've highlighted as occurring significantly more often on this make/model than the UK average.Wear & TearWear & TearDegrades naturally over time with use. Expected to need replacement during the life of the vehicle.ConsumableConsumableRoutine replacement item — brake pads, tyres, bulbs, wiper blades. Expected as part of normal servicing.
Severity:DangerousDangerousMOT failure with an immediate safety risk. The vehicle cannot be driven until the problem is repaired.MajorMajorMOT failure. Must be repaired for the vehicle to pass its MOT.MinorMinorMOT failure on a smaller issue. The car passes its MOT but the problem should be repaired soon.

Driveshaft fault

MOT ProblemMajorSuspension

49,932

occurrences

Frequency ratio: 1.2× the UK averageAvg mileage: 89,577 mi

ABS fault

MOT ProblemMajorBrakes

10,308

occurrences

Frequency ratio: 1.4× the UK averageAvg mileage: 105,071 mi

Front suspension joint worn

MOT ProblemMajorSuspension

9,223

occurrences

Frequency ratio: 1.2× the UK averageAvg mileage: 110,150 mi

CV joint worn

MOT ProblemMajorSuspension

3,015

occurrences

Frequency ratio: 2.2× the UK averageAvg mileage: 77,103 mi

Steering lock fault

MOT ProblemMajorSteering

1,415

occurrences

Frequency ratio: 2.6× the UK averageAvg mileage: 106,158 mi

Tell Us About Your Problem

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Your report helps other car owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being published.

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Problems by mileage

Common problems, MOT failures and advisories on the Nissan Primera P11, grouped by the mileage they typically appear at.

639 distinct problems · 1,194,278 total occurrences in current filter

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Advisory items are MOT tester observations. Frequency can be influenced by driving style and usage patterns.

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Other Nissan Primera Generations

P10

1990–1996

5 problems

P11

1996–2002

7 problems

Current page

P12

2002–2007

7 problems

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Nissan Primera P11 problems?

Based on DVSA MOT data for the Nissan Primera P11 (1996–2002), we have identified 7 common problems. The most frequently reported is "Driveshaft fault". Electrical is the most common MOT failure category.

How reliable is the Nissan Primera P11?

This generation has 659K MOT tests on record with a 47.0% fail rate. A fault is flagged as a "Common Problem" only when it occurs significantly more often on this model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence.

What commonly fails the MOT on a Nissan Primera P11?

There are 190 distinct MOT failure types recorded for the P11 (1996–2002), grouped by the mileage these failures typically occur. See the Common MOT Failures section on this page.

Can I report a problem with my Nissan Primera P11?

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.

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