How much does a 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), including £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX?

The 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX has a 74% MOT pass rate based on 80 tests in 2026. This ranks 148 out of 190 cars from 1990.

Which year NISSAN 300 ZX is most reliable?

The 1998 NISSAN 300 ZX has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%. The least reliable year is 2002 at 66%.

NISSAN 300 ZX (1990)

Q: Is the 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of NISSAN 300 ZXs from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 80 tests. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX?

The average mileage for a 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX is 97,398 miles, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-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 80 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,577

£215/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2960cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2577/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol2960cc36 years old80 tests97k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2960cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 2960cc

£430

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,577

Per month£215/mo

Per week£50/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

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the NISSAN brand average of 81%.

At 36 years old, 74% of NISSAN 300 ZXs from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 80 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 97,398 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars148th of 190(top 78%)

Rank among NISSAN models474th of 660(top 72%)

vs national average-8%(82% avg)

vs 1990 cars average-5%(79% avg)

vs NISSAN average-7%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

97,398

Average miles

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX has 97,398 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-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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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1998 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 2002 model has the lowest at 66%. The 1990 sits between the two at 74%.

NISSAN 300 ZX by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2006	78%	32	94,282 mi
2005	76%	41	91,587 mi
2004	82%	49	79,197 mi
2003	77%	82	90,099 mi
2002	66%	50	99,205 mi
2000	86%	36	96,467 mi
1999	87%	53	83,260 mi
1998	97%	60	85,323 mi
1994	84%	61	83,410 mi
1993	90%	71	95,134 mi
1992	86%	125	100,361 mi
1991	93%	107	98,461 mi
1990	74%	80	97,398 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MERCEDES 300

1992 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,247/year

83%

+9%

PORSCHE 911

1991 · 3164cc Petrol

£2,097/year

91%

+17%

PORSCHE 944

1990 · 2969cc Petrol

£2,247/year

85%

+11%

MERCEDES SL

1992 · 2960cc Petrol

£2,247/year

87%

+13%

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About the 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX

The 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX is a large car with a 2960cc petrol engine. 80 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 78% of 1990 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 97,398 miles at 36 years old, NISSAN 300 ZX 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.

1990 NISSAN 300 ZX Fuel Costs

The 2960cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,577 (£215/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

NISSAN 300 ZX Reliability Trend

Older NISSAN 300 ZXs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 4 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX

At 36 years old, the NISSAN 300 ZX 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 97%. Note: with only 80 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 36 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.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

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

Medium risk

With an average of 97k 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 1990 NISSAN 300 ZX stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
NISSAN 300 ZX(1990)	74%	£1592	£430	Grp 30-42	£2577
MERCEDES 300(1992)	83%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£330
PORSCHE 911(1991)	91%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2097-£480
PORSCHE 944(1990)	85%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£330
MERCEDES SL(1992)	87%	£1592	£250	Grp 30-42	£2247-£330

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.