2002 Nissan Almera MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 55.6% of Nissan Almeras first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. Across 5,115 Almera first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Nissan Almeras first used in 2002 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
55.6%
of 1,257 first tests; all cars first used in 2002: 59.5%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
5,115
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,257 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
16.1%
of 1,257 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
85,000
middle half: 64,000–108,500 miles; all cars first used in 2002: 102,000

How the 2002 Nissan Almera MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Almeras first used in 2002 against all cars first used in 2002 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Almera figure was 3.9 points lower.

2002 AlmeraAll cars first used in 2002
50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2002, test year 2021: 54.4%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2022: 56.2%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2023: 57.5%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2024: 58%All cars first used in 2002, test year 2025: 59.5%2002 Almera, test year 2021: 53.4%2002 Almera, test year 2022: 54.3%2002 Almera, test year 2023: 54.9%2002 Almera, test year 2024: 53%2002 Almera, test year 2025: 55.6%59.5%55.6%
View this chart as a table
Test year2002 AlmeraAll cars first used 2002Almera first tests
202153.4%54.4%3,639
202254.3%56.2%2,775
202354.9%57.5%2,182
202453.0%58.0%1,676
202555.6%59.5%1,257

Common 2002 Nissan Almera MOT failures

Share of the 2,329 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment53.5%
Suspension29.9%
Brakes27.1%
Body, chassis, structure22.5%
Tyres16.5%
Visibility15.9%
Noise, emissions and leaks13.2%
Steering10.4%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Stop lamp: not working15.1%352
Position lamp: not working14.1%329
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength12.7%296
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively10.5%245
Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases9.6%224

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2002 Nissan Almera before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 2002 Nissan Almera MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2002 Almeras, as a share of all 5,115 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge17.5%893
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing14.6%748
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive12.0%613
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened10.7%549
Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread9.9%507

Questions about the 2002 Nissan Almera MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2002 Nissan Almera?

In 2025, 55.6% of Almeras first used in 2002 passed their MOT first time, against 59.5% for all cars first used in 2002. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2002 Almera most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 53.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (29.9%) and brakes (27.1%). The single most common item was “Stop lamp: not working” (15.1%).

How often does a 2002 Nissan Almera fail its MOT?

In 2025, 44.4% of first tests on Almeras first used in 2002 did not pass first time: 34.4% failed, and a further 10.0% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,329 of 5,115 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2002 Nissan Almera MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 17.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (14.6%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (12.0%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (10.7%) and “Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread” (9.9%).

Is a 2002 Nissan Almera reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 53.4% in 2021 to 55.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2002

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2002 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2002 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2002 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2002 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2002 BMW 3 Series MOT statistics

How the 2002 Nissan Almera MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2002 Almera” means a Nissan Almera whose date of first use falls in 2002 (51, 02 and 52 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2002, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.