2003 Nissan Primera S review from UK and Ireland

Undiagnosed clunking and uneven ride from the rear suspension; uneven and premature rear tyre wear.

Loose exhaust heat plate.

Drivers seat sagging and creaking. (I'm only 11 stone!)

Permanently faulty handbrake.

The car is quick enough for a 1.8; handling could be sharper; fuel consumption acceptable, but no better.

The steering is vague at speed, and the car seems particularly susceptible to crosswinds.

Discs and pads replaced front and rear at 39,000 - never experienced brake wear this rapid on any other car.

At about 30,000 miles, the car developed an intermittent rumbling, clunking from the rear end at low speed. The dealer could not fault it, but blamed uneven wear on the rear tyres for causing ride problems. These were replaced with no subsequent improvement.

The handbrake was unsatisfactory when new, and had to be tightened shortly after delivery by an independent garage. There was subsequently an official recall because of poor handbrake operation, but despite this, and the fault being mentioned at every service, it has never been right, and the car once crept out of my driveway on its own.