IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
1998 Nissan Primera (P11)

We've identified 5 known issues that can affect the 1998 Nissan Primera (P11). 2 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

5
Known Issues
2
Serious
2
Moderate
1
Minor

All Known Issues

Brake hose chafing and corrosion of the hydraulic lines

SeriousBrakes

The P11 was caught by DVSA recall R/1995/063 (and its follow-up campaigns on the platform) for front flexible brake hoses that could chafe against surrounding suspension components and split, losing hydraulic pressure. On surviving cars the rigid steel brake lines running over the fuel tank to the rear multi-link beam are also a classic MOT failure point in the UK: winter salt and road spray lodge above the tank, rotting the lines unseen until the pedal turns spongy or drops under heavy braking.

Est. Repair Cost: £120–£280 for replacement braided or OEM flexi hoses; £250–£500 for full cupro-nickel rear line replacement
Warning Signs:

Spongy brake pedal that slowly sinks toward the carpet under steady foot pressure, Visible wet brake fluid weeping along the front flexible hoses or dripping near the fuel tank, Brake warning lamp illuminated on the dashboard due to fluid level drop in the master cylinder reservoir, UK MOT test failure recording severe corrosion of hydraulic brake pipes

What to Inspect:
  • Press the brake pedal down firmly with the engine idling and hold for 30 seconds to confirm no pressure loss
  • Inspect the front rubber flexible brake hoses at full lock for chafing marks, cracking, or bulging
  • Shine a torch over the rear subframe and fuel tank to check the steel hydraulic brake lines for crusty rust scale
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated
Official Recalls & Reference Documents:

Rear Sill, Wheel Arch, and Crossmember Structural Rust

SeriousBodywork & Rust

British winter road salt and water entrapment within the double-skinned rear sills, inner wheel arches, and front crossmember under the radiator are the prime cause of surviving P11 Primeras being scrapped. CarPeep data confirms that the licensed UK population has collapsed by 96% since 2014 down to just 1,839 cars, with MOT pass rates lagging at 57.2%. Rust attacks the rear jacking points and arch returns, perforating structural metal within prescribed MOT test distances of suspension mounting points.

Est. Repair Cost: £350–£1,000 for fabricated steel sill repair panels, arch welding, and underbody rust sealing
Warning Signs:

Bubbling paint, surface blistering, or perforated holes along the rear sill ends and jacking points, Rust flakes and brown scaling inside the rear wheel arch lip where dirt collects, Severe structural corrosion advisories or immediate test failures recorded on UK MOT certificates, Crumbling metal on the front lower radiator crossmember beneath the front bumper

What to Inspect:
  • Probe the full length of the inner and outer sills, especially around the rear jacking areas, with firm thumb pressure
  • Inspect the front crossmember beneath the radiator with a torch for structural perforation
  • Review the online MOT history of the registration to trace escalating corrosion advisories across past tests
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated
Official Recalls & Reference Documents:

Front Upper Suspension Link and Kingpin Bearing Wear

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

The P11 Primera is celebrated for its BTCC-winning multi-link front suspension, which uses a cast upper third link (kingpin link) pivoting on sealed needle roller bearings and rubber bushes. Under UK road conditions with potholes and speed cushions, the bearing seals perish and water ingress washes out the grease. The needle bearings corrode and seize, causing loud creaking or groaning over bumps, loose steering feel, uneven front tyre wear, and MOT failure for suspension joint play.

Est. Repair Cost: £140–£350 for replacement front upper control arms or kingpin bearing rebuild kit
Warning Signs:

Loud creaking or clicking sound from the front suspension when steering or traversing speed bumps, Vague, imprecise steering response and tramlining along road ruts, Dull knocking sound over rough asphalt from worn upper link pivots, MOT advisory or failure for excessive play in front suspension swivel pins or upper link bearings

What to Inspect:
  • Rock the vehicle vigorously on its front wings while listening for dry creaking from the upper suspension mounts
  • Jack each front wheel and grasp the tyre at the 12 and 6 oclock positions, rocking firmly to feel for kingpin play
  • Visually inspect the upper link pivot rubber dust seals for perishing, splitting, or weeping brown rust stains
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated
Official Recalls & Reference Documents:

Exhaust System Corrosion and Downpipe Flex Joint Failure

ModerateExhaust & Emissions

The exhaust system on the P11 Primera, particularly on 1.6 and 2.0 petrol models, is vulnerable to severe rot and mechanical fracture. In the RAC used car evaluation, replacement exhaust systems were costed at around £275 to £285. The flexible braided joint in the front downpipe fractures from engine movement on worn rubber mounts, producing loud blowing noises and fumes. Furthermore, rear silencer seams rot quickly from condensation on cars used for short journeys, causing UK MOT emissions and noise test failures.

Est. Repair Cost: £120–£200 for downpipe flexi repair; £260–£400 for complete centre and rear exhaust replacement
Warning Signs:

Loud booming or blowing roar from underneath the car upon accelerating, Strong smell of exhaust fumes entering the vehicle cabin through heating vents when stationary, Rattling or dragging sound beneath the centre tunnel if exhaust rubber hangers perish, MOT failure certificate noting major exhaust gas leak or insecure silencer box

What to Inspect:
  • Start the engine and hold a rag over the tailpipe momentarily to listen for blowing leaks along the pipes
  • Inspect the braided stainless flexible joint on the front exhaust downpipe for fraying or black soot deposits
  • Check the rear silencer box casing and seams for crusty rust scale and secure mounting on rubber bobbins
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated
Official Recalls & Reference Documents:

Wiper Linkage Pivot Seizure and Electrical Lighting Defects

MinorElectrics & Electronics

CarPeep UK MOT testing analysis reveals lamps, reflectors, and electrical equipment account for 31.4% of all Primera test failure items—the highest single defect category on the car. Common culprits include corroded rear lamp cluster earth pins causing dim indicators, failed headlamp leveling motors, and seized front windscreen wiper linkages. The wiper spindle bearings in the scuttle tray corrode from trapped leaves and rainwater, straining or burning out the wiper motor and leaving drivers without wipers in heavy downpours.

Est. Repair Cost: £60–£180 for replacement wiper linkage mechanism or reconditioned wiper motor and bulb holders
Warning Signs:

Windscreen wipers move very slowly, judder, or stop mid-sweep on the windscreen, Wiper motor hums without any movement of the wiper arms across the glass, Rear tail lights and indicators flash simultaneously or dimly due to corroded earth return pins, MOT failure certificate noting windscreen wiper inoperative or lamp defective

What to Inspect:
  • Test all wiper speeds on a wet windscreen, watching for slow sweep speeds or binding at the spindles
  • Walk around the vehicle with hazard warning lights and headlamps illuminated to check for dim or cross-earthing lamps
  • Inspect the scuttle drainage holes below the windscreen to ensure water drains freely away from the wiper motor
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated
Official Recalls & Reference Documents:

Buying Tips for 1998 Nissan Primera (P11)

  • Check the engine stall recall. DVSA campaign R/2003/170 covered Primera cars built between January 1999 and September 2002 - 111,831 in the UK - for engine angle and position sensor failure that causes stalling and a no-restart.
  • Prioritise a private-history car over a former fleet car, whatever the mileage. The RAC's warning is about high-mileage company hacks, and the trim, seats and pedal rubbers tell you far more than the odometer.
  • Buy the 2.0 16v for motorway ability and the 1.8 QG18DE for economy, and treat the 2.0 diesel as a niche car that needs a very well-documented service history.
  • Budget for bodywork rather than mechanical work - sill, rear arch and brake line corrosion is what ends these cars, and repair panels are a fabrication job now.
  • Check the suspension geometry and tyre wear pattern carefully. The multi-link setup gives superb handling but wears bushes and ball joints, and a worn rear beam alignment shows as feathered tyres.
  • Make sure the air conditioning has been serviced, because owner feedback collected by Parkers includes failed A/C units being replaced, which is a big ticket for a car worth £1,500.
Check a 1998 Nissan Primera (P11) by Registration