Does the Nissan Primera fail the MOT on suspension more than it should?
The Nissan Primera records 23.62 suspension failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 31.21 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−7.59, 95% interval −8.12 to −7.07). It ranks 559 of 701 models on suspension (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on suspension · check a Nissan Primera by registration
What exactly fails on suspension?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Nissan Primera is “A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn”, recorded 4,543 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 4,543 | 10.50 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 2,265 | 5.24 |
| A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated | 615 | 1.42 |
| A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 577 | 1.33 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 574 | 1.33 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 43,260 (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 Primera gets a suspension advisory, how often does it fail next time?
18.4% of Nissan Primera MOTs with a suspension advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 3,542 miles later (7,757 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 7,757 (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 Primera 1998 · Nissan Primera 1999 · Nissan Primera 2000 · Nissan Primera 2001 · Nissan Primera 2002 · Nissan Primera 2003 · Nissan Primera 2004 · Nissan Primera 2005 · Nissan Primera 2006 · Nissan Primera in Norway · Nissan Primera in Finland · Nissan Primera in the Netherlands · Nissan Primera by postcode area · Nissan Primera body, chassis and structure failures · Nissan Primera brakes failures · Nissan Primera vehicle identification failures · Nissan Primera lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Nissan Primera noise, emissions and leaks failures · Nissan Primera road wheels failures · Nissan Primera seat belts and airbags failures · Nissan Primera steering failures · Nissan Primera tyres failures · Nissan Primera visibility failures