How much does a 1997 NISSAN 200 SX cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 NISSAN 200 SX?

The 1997 NISSAN 200 SX has a 89% MOT pass rate based on 204 tests in 2026. This ranks 40 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year NISSAN 200 SX is most reliable?

The 1998 NISSAN 200 SX has the highest MOT pass rate at 91%. The least reliable year is 1994 at 82%.

NISSAN 200 SX (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 NISSAN 200 SX reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of NISSAN 200 SXs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 204 tests. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 NISSAN 200 SX?

The average mileage for a 1997 NISSAN 200 SX is 110,493 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 204 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2047/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1998cc29 years old204 tests110k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,047

Per month£171/mo

Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the NISSAN brand average of 81%.

At 29 years old, 89% of NISSAN 200 SXs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 204 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 110,493 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars40th of 320(top 12%)

Rank among NISSAN models188th of 660(top 28%)

vs national average+7%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+14%(75% avg)

vs NISSAN average+8%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

110,493

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 NISSAN 200 SX has 110,493 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1998 model with a 91% MOT pass rate, while the 1994 model has the lowest at 82%. The 1997 sits between the two at 89%.

NISSAN 200 SX by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2000	87%	201	111,516 mi
1999	87%	406	98,624 mi
1998	91%	267	100,580 mi
1997	89%	204	110,493 mi
1996	88%	146	110,523 mi
1995	86%	177	103,750 mi
1994	82%	156	110,520 mi
1993	91%	214	124,144 mi
1992	86%	185	114,752 mi
1991	89%	152	106,079 mi
1990	89%	128	111,717 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-22%

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-16%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

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BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-11%

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About the 1997 NISSAN 200 SX

The 1997 NISSAN 200 SX is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 204 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 12% of all 1997 cars for reliability.

With an average of 110,493 miles at 29 years old, NISSAN 200 SX owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 NISSAN 200 SX Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 NISSAN 200 SX?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

NISSAN 200 SX Reliability Trend

The NISSAN 200 SX has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 NISSAN 200 SX

At 29 years old, the NISSAN 200 SX is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 91%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 NISSAN 200 SX's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 110k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 NISSAN 200 SX stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
NISSAN 200 SX(1997)	89%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2047
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£550
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£220
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£30
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397+£350

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.