2010 Nissan Primastar — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,242 MOT tests analysed for the 2010 Nissan Primastar, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 67.6% was below the average for cars of a similar age (77.0%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 613 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.0% | 550 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.2% | 494 |
| 4 | Steering | 9.5% | 307 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.6% | 245 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 233 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Track rod end | 334 |
| 2 | Rbt (sp) | 265 |
| 3 | Ball joint | 263 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 252 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 233 |
| 6 | Joints | 191 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 37.5% | 1,214 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.9% | 873 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.6% | 831 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.1% | 458 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.3% | 432 |
| 6 | Visibility | 12.3% | 400 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 42 | 28.6% |
| 30-60k | 107 | 30.8% |
| 60-90k | 435 | 28.7% |
| 90-120k | 694 | 33.4% |
| 120-150k | 874 | 34.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,069 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 738 | 31.4% |
| 2022 | 678 | 29.6% |
| 2023 | 682 | 34.0% |
| 2024 | 606 | 35.5% |
| 2025 | 538 | 31.6% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Primastar
Before buying a 2010 Nissan Primastar, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (17.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (15.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2010 Nissan Primastars pass their MOT?
67.6% of the 3,242 2010 Nissan Primastar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 32.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Nissan Primastar?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by suspension (17.0%).
Does the 2010 Primastar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.6% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,242 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.