Nissan Almera MOT Failures
An analysis of 369,578 real DVSA MOT tests on the Nissan Almera — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: N15 (1995–2000), N16 (2000–2006).
Where the Nissan Almera fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Nissan Almera is power steering fault — this model is 80 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 369,578 MOT tests, 2.16% of all Nissan Almera tests recorded this as a failure.
Steering faults include worn track rod ends, power steering leaks, and rack wear. These are safety-critical — any play in the steering should be investigated immediately.
Other notable weak points include track rod ends worn (36x the fleet average), headlight fault (62x the fleet average), seat mounting fault (34x the fleet average), and suspension component damaged or corroded (20x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Nissan Almera's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 6 categories: Steering, Lights & Electrics, Seatbelts & Airbags, Suspension, Bodywork and others. If you're inspecting a Nissan Almera before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Nissan Almera's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Nissan Almera specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (53x the average) and headlight fault (44x). track rod ends worn (36x) and steering rack wear (29x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Nissan Almera specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are power steering fault (35x the average) and seat mounting fault (34x). body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (25x) and track rod ends worn (21x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Nissan Almera specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fuel pipe or hose damaged (149x the average) and emissions failure (40x). seat mounting fault (17x) and power steering fault (17x) also appear frequently.
The shift from power steering fault at lower mileages to fuel pipe or hose damaged at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Nissan Almera specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Structural corrosion and subframe mounting point deterioration (N15/N16) Dangerous
The Almera suffers from severe structural corrosion affecting load-bearing areas within 30cm of subframe and suspension mounting points. Affects N15, N16.
Power steering system failure (N16) Major
The N16 Almera suffers from widespread power steering pump and system failures, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 86.7x the fleet average. Affects N16.
Timing chain stretch and tensioner wear (N16) Major
The QG15DE and QG18DE engines in the N16 Almera are known for timing chain stretch and tensioner failure. Affects N16.
CV joint boot deterioration (N15)
The N15 generation shows significantly higher rates of CV joint boot failure, with MOT data recording 21.9x the fleet average on 1.4-litre variants. Affects N15.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Nissan Almera common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Nissan Almera
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Nissan Almera:
Steering — check for power steering fault, track rod ends worn. Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault. Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about structural corrosion and subframe mounting point deterioration and power steering system failure. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Nissan Almera?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Nissan Almera MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Nissan Almera?
Based on 369,578 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is power steering fault — at 80x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include track rod ends worn and headlight fault.
Is the Nissan Almera reliable based on MOT data?
The Nissan Almera has 17 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag structural corrosion and subframe mounting point deterioration as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Nissan Almera most commonly fails on fuel pipe or hose damaged and emissions failure. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are power steering fault and headlight fault.
How do I check a Nissan Almera's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.