Does the Nissan Primastar fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The Nissan Primastar records 4.53 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 5.62 expected for a lcv of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.09, 95% interval −1.26 to −0.91). It ranks 452 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a Nissan Primastar by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Nissan Primastar is “Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction”, recorded 1,516 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction | 1,516 | 2.20 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limit | 433 | 0.63 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 406 | 0.59 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 235 | 0.34 |
| Smoke opacity levels exceed default limit | 220 | 0.32 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 68,843 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Nissan Primastar gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
5.9% of Nissan Primastar MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.2 months and 6,062 miles later (8,198 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 8,198 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Nissan Primastar 2002 · Nissan Primastar 2003 · Nissan Primastar 2004 · Nissan Primastar 2005 · Nissan Primastar 2006 · Nissan Primastar 2007 · Nissan Primastar 2008 · Nissan Primastar 2009 · Nissan Primastar 2010 · Nissan Primastar 2011 · Nissan Primastar 2012 · Nissan Primastar 2013 · Nissan Primastar 2014 · Nissan Primastar by postcode area · Nissan Primastar body, chassis and structure failures · Nissan Primastar brakes failures · Nissan Primastar vehicle identification failures · Nissan Primastar lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Nissan Primastar road wheels failures · Nissan Primastar seat belts and airbags failures · Nissan Primastar steering failures · Nissan Primastar suspension failures · Nissan Primastar tyres failures · Nissan Primastar visibility failures