2012 Nissan Primastar · 1,700 MOT tests
2012 Nissan Primastar reliability
2012 Nissan Primastars fail 53.5% of first MOT tests, 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 12 Primastar years (1,700 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Nissan Primastars: 52.6%)
- 53.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Nissan Primastars: 52.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 44% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 126,708
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,700
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 34% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does worse)
- 2013 cars: 53% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 15.8% of tests fail here (413% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: tyres, 20% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Nissan Primastar
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics28.5%
- Suspension23.7%
- Brakes21.4%
- Steering15.8%
- Body, chassis and structure10.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors10.4%
- Tyres6.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Track rod end ball joint excessively worn 12.24%
Worn steering ball joints can affect steering control and safety, so repair is needed before the car is driven.
Position lamp not working 8.41%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 7.29%
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.29%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 6.65%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Stop lamp not working 5.12%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.94%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.82%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (13.59%) · Brake pads wearing thin (8.06%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (7.35%) · Track rod ball joint slight play (5.65%)
Other years
Every Nissan Primastar year
The full picture: Nissan Primastar reliability. Before you pay for any Nissan Primastar, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2012 Nissan Primastar reliable?
2012 Nissan Primastars fail 53.5% of first MOT tests, 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 10 of 12 Primastar years (1,700 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Nissan Primastar MOT?
Most often track rod end ball joint excessively worn (12.24% of tests), position lamp not working (8.41% of tests), suspension ball joint excessively worn (7.29% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Nissan Primastar have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Nissan Primastar shows 126,708 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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