Nissan

Nissan Almera (2005)

22,742 real MOT outcomes analysed • 75% first-time pass rate

2005 Nissan Almera

CarHunch analysed 22,742 real MOT records for the 2005 Nissan Almera. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Petrol vs Diesel Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2005 Nissan Almera falls below the UK average with a 75% pass rate versus the national 80%, and more worryingly, over one-third (34.6%) of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a significant buyer concern that suggests underlying structural or safety issues beyond typical wear and tear. Petrol models edge out diesels slightly (75.1% vs 72.8% pass rate), but neither version inspires confidence.

With median mileage at 59,071 miles for a 19-year-old car, these Almeras have been relatively lightly used, yet they average 4.2 failures and 19 advisories per test, indicating poor maintenance or inherent durability problems that even low mileage hasn't prevented. Before committing to purchase, have a pre-buy inspection done by a mechanic you trust, paying particular attention to suspension, braking systems, and corrosion—the dangerous defect rate suggests these areas are where this generation struggles most.

The 2005 Nissan Almera has a decent first-time pass rate (75%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
75%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
34.6%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
4.23
Over 16.1 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
59k
Middle half: 46k–73k
For context
🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 19.1 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 22,742 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 22,742 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 75.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Brake wear 41.8%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · …
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.
Other issues 25.3%
Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Oil leak, but not excessive · Oil leak

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 22,742 Nissan Almera cars.

UK

Petrol vs Diesel

Pass rate difference of 2.3 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.

75.1%
Petrol
21,588 vehicles
72.8%
Diesel
1,129 vehicles

Before you buy a 2005 Nissan Almera

Based on MOT data from 22,742 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 34.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
    Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
  • 🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection ClickMechanic
  • 📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (95%) 21,588 75.1% 4.23
Diesel (5%) 1,129 72.8% 4.21

Colour Breakdown

Based on 231,155 Nissan Almera vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 24.9%
57,647
Silver 24.1%
55,614
Red 19%
43,879
Grey 10.9%
25,283
Green 10.8%
25,050
Black 5.6%
12,852
White 2.7%
6,220
Gold 1.4%
3,277
Beige 0.3%
654
Orange 0.1%
339
Turquoise 0.1%
183
Maroon 0.1%
157

Mileage Distribution

Most 2005 Nissan Almera vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

59,071
typical
46,367
low mileage
73,162
high mileage

Half of all 2005 Nissan Almera vehicles fall between 46,367 and 73,162 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 46,367 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
46,367–73,162 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2005 Nissan Almeras sit.
Over 98,768 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2005 Nissan Almera — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 17% of 2005 Nissan Almeras are still active.

Numbers are declining — 3,481 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (17% of peak).

20,186 3,481 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

16.1
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
4.23
Avg failures per vehicle
19.1
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Nissan Almera: All Almera years → Which year to buy? →
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2006

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Compare with another model

See how the 2005 Nissan Almera stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing