Is the 1998 NISSAN 200 SX reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 91% of NISSAN 200 SXs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 267 tests. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1998 NISSAN 200 SX cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 NISSAN 200 SX?

The 1998 NISSAN 200 SX has a 91% MOT pass rate based on 267 tests in 2026. This ranks 29 out of 340 cars from 1998.

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 (1998)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 NISSAN 200 SX?

The average mileage for a 1998 NISSAN 200 SX is 100,580 miles, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 267 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,897

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1897/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol1998cc28 years old267 tests101k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,897

Per month£158/mo

Per week£36/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

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the NISSAN brand average of 81%.

At 28 years old, 91% of NISSAN 200 SXs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 267 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 100,580 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars29th of 340(top 9%)

Rank among NISSAN models145th of 660(top 22%)

vs national average+9%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+16%(75% avg)

vs NISSAN average+10%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

100,580

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 NISSAN 200 SX has 100,580 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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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%

-24%

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

-18%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-20%

BMW 3 SERIES

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,397/year

78%

-13%

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About the 1998 NISSAN 200 SX

The 1998 NISSAN 200 SX is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 267 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 9% of all 1998 cars for reliability.

With an average of 100,580 miles at 28 years old, NISSAN 200 SX owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1998 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 1998 NISSAN 200 SX?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 1998 NISSAN 200 SX

At 28 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 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 28 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 101k 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 1998 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(1998)	91%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£1897
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£700
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£70
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£120
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)	78%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2397+£500

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.