2002 Nissan Primera 1.8L Petrol · EU02 OSB

A 24-year-old Primera carrying 133,827 miles shows a roadworthiness history dominated not by outright breakdowns but by a consistent stream of advisories clustered around oil leaks and chassis integrity, with a notable cluster of dangerous suspension and tyre defects caught at the May 2022 test. That 2022 failure included fractured nearside and offside front coil springs, an offside rear tyre below the legal 1.6mm tread limit, an offside front tyre worn on the edge, and a failed offside rear stop lamp, all of which represent acute safety concerns rather than gradual wear. The most recent recorded test on 12 May 2023 returned a pass, but it still carried the recurring oil leak advisory first noted back in 2019, alongside a defective front wiper blade and child seats obstructing seatbelt inspection. The persistence of these advisories across four consecutive tests from 2019 through 2023, combined with structural corrosion noted in 2020 on the offside rear, paints a picture of an ageing vehicle where oil weeping has not been resolved and corrosion is being monitored rather than rectified. A 2021 failure for a leaking power steering pipe adds a hydraulic sealing concern to the list of fluid-related issues. Against a typical accumulation for a 2002 car, the recorded mileage of 133,827 miles equates to roughly 5,576 miles per year, which sits well below average annual mileage figures commonly associated with vehicles of this vintage. This relatively low annual figure, together with the presence of gaps and duplicate test dates around 2020 and 2021, suggests periods of limited use, and possibly extended standing time between tests. Low annual mileage reduces wear on high-cycle components such as brake discs, clutches and tyres, but it also tends to accelerate issues with ageing rubber, dry seals, dried suspension bushes, and the oxidation of structural steel and underbody seams. The fact that advisories on oil leaks have appeared almost every year since 2019, despite the modest mileage, is consistent with seals and gaskets hardening with age rather than being consumed through heavy use, and it warrants careful inspection of the engine and gearbox casings during any viewing. Buyers should also be alert to corrosion that may have progressed in unseen areas such as the rear inner arches, subframe, and brake pipe runs, given the advisory referencing structural rigidity being reduced at the offside rear. On a physical inspection, particular attention should be paid to the front suspension, given the fractured coil springs recorded in 2022. Both front springs were replaced or renewed ahead of the subsequent pass, but coil spring failure on a Primera of this age can indicate fatigue in the upper mounts and that the shock absorbers themselves may be nearing the end of their service life. Listen and feel for clonking over uneven surfaces, excessive body roll through corners, and any harsh rebound when pushing down on each corner. Inspect the tyres carefully for uneven shoulder wear, particularly on the offside front, where edge wear was previously flagged, as this can point to misalignment, worn wishbone bushes, or drooping inner tie rod joints. Examine the offside rear wheel arch, sill seam, and jacking points closely for bubbling paint or visible perforation, as the 2020 advisory indicates corrosion has already established itself in the rear structure. Run the engine from cold and warm, watching the ground beneath for fresh drips from the sump, cam cover, and front crankshaft seal, as the oil leak advisory has been repeated across multiple consecutive tests. For a test drive, evaluate the power steering system closely in light of the 2021 hose failure. At low speed with the engine hot, check for any stiffness, whining noise, or visible seepage around the pipework and the rack itself, particularly where the high-pressure line runs along the front subframe. The brake pedal should be tested for a firm, even feel without judder under braking, which would suggest warped front discs given the vehicle's age, and the nearside rear stop lamp lens, noted as defective in 2020, should be verified for correct function. Confirm that the rear brake shoes and caliper slide pins have been inspected, as standing time encourages caliper seizure and uneven pad wear. Finally, request evidence of any remedial work carried out since the 2022 advisories, especially confirmation that the rear structural corrosion has been treated and not simply masked, and clarify whether the oil leak has been traced and rectified or is being tolerated, as the recurrence of that advisory four years running suggests the underlying seal has not been addressed.