2003 Nissan Primera petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Nissan Primera petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Nissan Primera petrol than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Headlights2.4× usual
  Nissan Primera

  27.5% All 2003 cars

  11.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 4.6% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Anti-roll bar link joints4× usual
  Nissan Primera

  13.7% All 2003 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Flexible brake hoses1.9× usual
  Nissan Primera

  11% All 2003 cars

  5.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.2% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

• Side repeaters3.6× usual
  Nissan Primera

  6.2% All 2003 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Individual direction indicators2.4× usual
  Nissan Primera

  7.7% All 2003 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.5% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2003 Nissan Primera petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Nissan Primera petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  49% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Suspension
  45% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  44% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Tyres
  34% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  20% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Nissan Primera petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2003 Nissan Primera petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2003 Nissan Primera petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2003 Nissan Primera petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?