Nissan Almera (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 325 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,383

£199/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1392cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2,383/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Petrol1392cc29 years old325 tests97k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1392cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,383

Per month£199/mo

Per week£46/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Nissan brand average of 81%.

64% of MOT tests on Nissan Almeras from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 325 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 96,599 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models284th of 306(bottom 8%)

Rank among Nissan models608th of 635(bottom 5%)

vs average of all models-18%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average-11%(75% avg)

vs Nissan average-17%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

96,599

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Nissan Almera had 96,599 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 74%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 59%. The 1997 scores 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Nissan Almera by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2007	74%	38	90,884 mi
2006	71%	2,385	89,108 mi
2005	70%	8,384	90,067 mi
2004	72%	6,538	90,881 mi
2003	71%	3,658	89,195 mi
2002	70%	3,079	89,690 mi
2001	73%	1,243	85,049 mi
2000	71%	495	78,751 mi
1999	66%	545	77,991 mi
1998	74%	459	83,348 mi
1997	64%	325	96,599 mi
1996	59%	174	93,557 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

+9%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

+7%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+25%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

+6%

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About the 1997 Nissan Almera

The 1997 Nissan Almera is a small family car. Our records list a 1392cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 325 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 8% of 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 96,599 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

1997 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 £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 Nissan Almera?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,383 (£199/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Nissan Almera Reliability Trend

Newer Nissan Almeras pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 1997 Nissan Almera

At 29 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. If you're flexible on year, the 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 74%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 64% 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 1997 Nissan Almera stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Nissan Almera(1997)	64%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,383
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328-£55
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£178
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£573
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£200

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1997 Nissan Almera

Is the 1997 Nissan Almera reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 64% of MOT tests on 1997 Nissan Almeras ended in a pass, from 325 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Nissan Almera cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,383 a year (£199 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 Nissan Almera?

64% of 325 MOT tests on the 1997 Nissan Almera ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 284th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (bottom 8%).

Which year Nissan Almera has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 Nissan Almera has the highest MOT pass rate at 74% and the 1996 the lowest at 59%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Nissan Almera?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Nissan Almera is 96,599 miles, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.