2004 Nissan Primera diesel: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the diesel Nissan Primera first registered in 2004 (diesel cars only): we looked at the 343 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 343 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2004 Nissan Primera diesel?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2004 Nissan Primera diesel than on all cars registered in 2004.
- Braking performance2.8× usualNissan Primera20.7% All 2004 cars7.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 3.1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
- Anti-roll bar link joints2.5× usualNissan Primera9.9% All 2004 cars4%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.5% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Rigid brake pipes: 7.9% here, against 17.4% of all 2004 cars.
Common 2004 Nissan Primera diesel MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2004 Nissan Primera diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Brakes53% 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.
- Suspension48% 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.
- Lights and electrics45% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres36% 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 leaks28% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors12% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2004 Nissan Primera diesel
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2004 Nissan Primera diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2004 Nissan Primera diesel as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Nissan Primera?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Nissan Primera compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,509 | Lights and electrics 47% |
| 2005 | 2,113 | Lights and electrics 48% |
| 2003 | 1,212 | Lights and electrics 48% |
| 2002 | 954 | Lights and electrics 44% |
| 2001 | 515 | Brakes 36% |
| 2000 | 221 | Brakes 44% |
| 1999 | 584 | Brakes 39% |
| 1998 | 606 | Brakes 36% |
| 1997 | 387 | Suspension 41% |
| 1996 | 128 | Brakes 45% |
| 1995 | – | Too few tests |
| 1994 | – | Too few tests |
| 1993 | – | Too few tests |
| 1992 | – | Too few tests |
| 1991 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Nissan Primera cars first registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score