2013 Nissan Primastar 2.0L Diesel · PL13 KXJ

A consistent theme running through this Primastar's MOT history is a chronic pattern of brake component wear alongside repeat failures for minor but legally testable items. The most recent test on 23 October 2025 initially resulted in a failure for three majors, all of the kind that are typically straightforward to remedy: an empty nearside windscreen washer reservoir, a failed offside front position lamp, and a nearside rear direction indicator showing the wrong colour. A retest on the same day then passed, but the advisories recorded on both the fail and pass entries are the more telling concern. The offside rear brake pipe is noted as corroded though covered in grease or other material, and both front and rear brake discs are flagged as worn, pitted, or scored. Going back to October 2024, the same brake disc advisories appeared on both axles, with the addition of thinning pads on both ends and an offside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on its edge. The 2023 test added nearside front anti-roll bar D-bush wear on both sides, and the 2021 and 2020 entries show the front brake disc pitting has been present since at least 2020, meaning it has been progressively worsening over five consecutive tests. The 2022 test is the only clean pass with no advisories at all, but it is the outlier rather than the norm. Against its 2013 registration, 149,210 recorded miles equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 11,478 miles, which sits comfortably within the expected range for a vehicle of this age and clearly indicates regular service use rather than long periods off the road. There are no significant gaps in the annual MOT record, with tests recorded every year from 2020 through 2025, and the mileage progression between tests is broadly consistent with steady operational use. Mechanical implications of this usage profile are largely concentrated on wear-rate components: the persistent brake disc pitting across every test since 2020 points to discs that have been on the vehicle for a prolonged period and are likely approaching the point at which they will require replacement rather than further machining. The repeated washer, position lamp, and indicator failures are minor in isolation, but their recurrence over consecutive years suggests some inconsistency in routine pre-test preparation rather than any underlying electrical fault. For a prospective buyer, the brake pipe advisory on the offside rear deserves particular physical attention. Corroded brake pipes are a significant safety concern because surface corrosion can progress to wall thinning and eventual leakage under hydraulic pressure, so the pipe should be inspected closely on a ramp or with a torch for any flaking, blistering, or rust-through, particularly along its length and at the unions where it meets the flexible hose. On a road test, the brakes should be checked for a firm, high pedal with no sponginess, and any pulling to one side under heavy braking would suggest a binding caliper, which is plausible given the pitted disc condition. The anti-roll bar D-bush wear flagged in 2020 and 2023 is worth monitoring by pushing laterally on each front corner while parked to detect excess movement, and listening for clonks or rattling from the front end over uneven surfaces. The track rod end ball joint play noted in 2021 should be rechecked, as worn joints typically progress; any vagueness in steering response or a faint knocking under load through the steering rack would warrant further investigation. The tyres also merit close scrutiny. An offside front edge wear advisory in 2024 combined with consistent suspension component wear suggests possible wheel alignment drift, possibly stemming from the worn bushes or track rod play. On a test drive, the vehicle should be driven over a variety of road surfaces to detect any steering pull, tramp, or uneven tyre scrub, and the nearside rear tyre that was close to the limit in 2020 should be confirmed as having been replaced. Finally, while the lighting and washer failures are easily remedied, their recurrence raises a practical question about whether all related items have been properly maintained; the headlamp lenses, all indicator clusters, and the washer system should be physically checked for function before purchase, as these are the items most likely to be highlighted again at the next MOT.