2003 Nissan Primera · 1,764 MOT tests
2003 Nissan Primera reliability
2003 Nissan Primeras fail 44.4% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 5 Primera years (1,764 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
Looking at a 2003 Nissan Primera?
See its own MOT history and mileage, free.
- first-time fail rate (all Nissan Primeras: 44.3%)
- 44.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Nissan Primeras: 44.3%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 5% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 93,321
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,764
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 19% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 11.3% of tests fail here (58% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 38% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Nissan Primera
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics25.8%
- Brakes15.5%
- Suspension13.2%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks11.3%
- Body, chassis and structure9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.3%
- Tyres6.5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.1%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Stop lamp not working 5.05%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 4.31%
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
Position lamp not working 4.25%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.2%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.46%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (14.63%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (14.06%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (12.02%) · Linkage ball joint slight play (9.47%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.07%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (8.45%)
Is a 2003 Nissan Primera reliable?
2003 Nissan Primeras fail 44.4% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 5 Primera years (1,764 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Nissan Primera MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.1% of tests), stop lamp not working (5.05% of tests), parking brake efficiency below minimum (4.31% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Nissan Primera have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Nissan Primera shows 93,321 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Check a 2003 Nissan Primera free
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.