Nissan Primera (2003)
2003 Nissan Primera
CarHunch analysed 12,270 real MOT records for the 2003 Nissan Primera. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Nissan Primera has a first-time MOT pass rate of 73.4%, which sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%—a concerning gap that suggests these cars are ageing poorly. More troublingly, over a quarter of this cohort (26.1%) has recorded at least one dangerous defect during MOT testing, well above acceptable thresholds and a serious red flag for prospective buyers.
At 20 years old, these Primeras average 74,181 miles, which is reasonable for age, but the real issue is what inspectors are finding: an average of 3.74 failures and 15.8 advisories per vehicle tell you that wear and corrosion are widespread. Before buying a used example, get a thorough pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, brakes, and structural rust—don't rely on a recent pass to mean the car is trouble-free.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2003 Nissan Primera
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.
- ⚠️ 26.1% 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 Primera
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 (77%) | 9,498 | 74.1% | 3.69 |
| Diesel (22%) | 2,750 | 71.1% | 3.89 |
| LPG (0%) | 17 | 76.5% | 3.24 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 87.9% | 1.33 |
| Electric (0%) | 2 | 72.2% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Nissan Primera 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 Primera vehicles fall between 53,125 and 82,127 miles.
2003 Nissan Primera — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 380 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (5% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Nissan Primera
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
67%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
62.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
43.5%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
40.9%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
-
39%
Oil leak
-
35.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
30.7%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
-
29.8%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Nissan Primera?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.