Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2002 Nissan Almera E?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2002 Nissan Almera E?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2002 Nissan Almera E?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2002 Nissan Almera E?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Nissan Almera E (2002)

135 real MOT outcomes analysed • 11.7% first-time pass rate

2002 Nissan Almera E

CarHunch analysed 135 real MOT records for the 2002 Nissan Almera E. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2002 Nissan Almera E has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 11.7%, which is catastrophically worse than the UK average of 80% — essentially nine out of ten of these cars fail their test on the first attempt. The petrol variants (109 of the 135 analysed) have a 0% pass rate, making this one of the most unreliable cohorts on the road for passing MOT standards.

With an average mileage of 95,708 miles for a 22-year-old car, these are heavily used vehicles, and the 0.23 failures per car suggest persistent mechanical issues once they get on the ramp. If you're considering buying one, assume you'll face an MOT failure and budget for repairs before even attempting the test — this isn't a gamble worth taking unless the purchase price is nominal and you have workshop access.

Below average reliability 68.3% below UK average

11.7%

pass MOT first time

UK average: ~80%

ever had a dangerous defect

recorded at any MOT

0.23

avg MOT failures per car

over 1.4 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2002 Nissan Almera E

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Nissan Almera E

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection

Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying →

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (81%)	109	0%	0
Other (19%)	26	60.9%	1.19

MOT History Averages

1.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.23

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Nissan Almera E?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

Other model years — Nissan Almera E:

2000 2001