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NISSAN ALMERA (1996)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 174 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,087

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

59%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1392cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

59% pass rate, £2087/year to run. 23 points below average.

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Petrol1392cc30 years old174 tests94k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1392cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1392cc

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,087
Per month£174/mo
Per week£40/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

59% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 23 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the NISSAN brand average of 81%.

At 30 years old, 59% of NISSAN ALMERAs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 174 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 93,557 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars244th of 252(top 97%)
Rank among NISSAN models650th of 660(top 98%)
vs national average-23%(82% avg)
vs 1996 cars average-16%(75% avg)
vs NISSAN average-22%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

93,557

Average miles

vs

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 NISSAN ALMERA has 93,557 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-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 74% MOT pass rate, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 59%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

NISSAN ALMERA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200774%3890,884 mi
200671%2,38589,108 mi
200570%8,38490,067 mi
200472%6,53890,881 mi
200371%3,65889,195 mi
200270%3,07989,690 mi
200173%1,24385,049 mi
200071%49578,751 mi
199966%54577,991 mi
199874%45983,348 mi
199764%32596,599 mi
199659%17493,557 mi

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About the 1996 NISSAN ALMERA

The 1996 NISSAN ALMERA is a small family car with a 1392cc petrol engine. 174 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 97% of 1996 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 93,557 miles at 30 years old, NISSAN ALMERA 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.

1996 NISSAN ALMERA Fuel Costs

The 1392cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1996 NISSAN ALMERA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,087 174/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 59% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

NISSAN ALMERA Reliability Trend

Newer NISSAN ALMERAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 4 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1996 NISSAN ALMERA

At 30 years old, the NISSAN ALMERA 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 1996 NISSAN ALMERA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 94k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 59% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1996 NISSAN ALMERA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
NISSAN ALMERA(1996)59%£1137£195Grp 8-20£2087
MAZDA MX-5(1998)75%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£260
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)79%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£70
NISSAN MICRA(1998)69%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1922-£165
TOYOTA STARLET(1998)75%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£365

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.

Related Nissan Models

Explore other Nissan cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Nissan Almera.

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