Nissan Almera (2003)
2003 Nissan Almera
CarHunch analysed 28,138 real MOT records for the 2003 Nissan Almera. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Nissan Almera's 74.7% first-time pass rate sits notably below the UK average of 80%, signalling middling reliability for a car of this age. More concerning, 26.4% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is well above the danger threshold and a genuine safety consideration for buyers.
At around 60,000 miles median mileage, these Almeras are averaging low usage for their age, yet they're still racking up nearly 4 failures and 14 advisories per test—suggesting age-related wear rather than abuse. Before committing to one, get a thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on structural rust and suspension components, as the high advisory count points to accumulated deterioration rather than sudden catastrophic faults.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.8 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2003 Nissan Almera
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.
- ⚠️ 26.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (95%) | 26,631 | 74.9% | 3.96 |
| Diesel (5%) | 1,485 | 71.1% | 4.48 |
| LPG (0%) | 11 | 70.3% | 4.91 |
| Other (0%) | 10 | 83.3% | 0.7 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 1 | 79% | 4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Nissan Almera vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2003 Nissan Almera vehicles fall between 47,334 and 73,609 miles.
2003 Nissan Almera — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,417 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (7% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Nissan Almera
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
76.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
74.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
54.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
46.5%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
37%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
29.8%
Oil leak
-
28.7%
Offside Stop lamp not working
-
27.6%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Nissan Almera?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.