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Nissan Cube (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 284 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,853

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1349cc Petrol

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £1,853/year to run. 11 points above average.

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Petrol1349cc14 years old284 tests52k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1349cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398
Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£1,853
Per month£154/mo
Per week£36/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

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Nissan brand average of 81%.

93% of MOT tests on Nissan Cubes from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 284 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 52,088 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models68th of 650(top 11%)
Rank among Nissan models100th of 635(top 16%)
vs average of all models+11%(82% avg)
vs 2012 models average+15%(78% avg)
vs Nissan average+12%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

52,088

Average miles

vs

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Nissan Cube had 52,088 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2013 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2020 model has the lowest at 75%. The 2012 scores 93%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Nissan Cube by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202180%9176,159 mi
202075%15894,977 mi
201979%22491,872 mi
201881%13496,741 mi
201776%156115,827 mi
201675%159113,046 mi
201581%134116,515 mi
201477%11695,370 mi
201394%34862,032 mi
201293%28452,088 mi
201184%38377,818 mi
201077%1,88584,968 mi
200984%41985,660 mi
200881%49382,333 mi
200785%47981,918 mi
200680%17397,133 mi
200584%167103,851 mi
200480%166113,982 mi
200382%13094,660 mi
200269%32168,122 mi

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About the 2012 Nissan Cube

The 2012 Nissan Cube is a small family car. Our records list a 1349cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 284 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 11% of all 2012 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 52,088 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Nissan Cube owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Nissan Cube Fuel Costs

The 1349cc 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 2012 Nissan Cube?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,853 (£154/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Nissan Cube Reliability Trend

The Nissan Cube has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 2012 Nissan Cube

At 14 years old, the Nissan Cube 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 2013 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

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.

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 2012 Nissan Cube stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Nissan Cube(2012)93%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£1,853
Ford Fiesta(2014)79%£1,175£20Grp 1-8£1,750-£103
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)76%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£300
Ford Focus(2013)78%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,228+£375
Nissan Qashqai(2013)72%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,228+£375

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 2012 Nissan Cube

Is the 2012 Nissan Cube reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of MOT tests on 2012 Nissan Cubes ended in a pass, from 284 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Nissan Cube cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,853 a year (£154 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Nissan Cube?

93% of 284 MOT tests on the 2012 Nissan Cube ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 68th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (top 11%).

Which year Nissan Cube has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2013 Nissan Cube has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2020 the lowest at 75%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2012 Nissan Cube?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Nissan Cube is 52,088 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Related Nissan Models

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

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Nissan Cube.

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