How much does a 1997 NISSAN D21 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,045 (£170/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 NISSAN D21?

The 1997 NISSAN D21 has a 83% MOT pass rate based on 63 tests in 2026. This ranks 71 out of 320 cars from 1997.

NISSAN D21 (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 NISSAN D21 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of NISSAN D21s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 63 tests. That's 1 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 NISSAN D21?

The average mileage for a 1997 NISSAN D21 is 74,004 miles, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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 63 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,045

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2494cc Diesel

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £2045/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel2494cc29 years old63 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2494cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2494cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,045

Per month£170/mo

Per week£39/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

83% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 29 years old, 83% of NISSAN D21s from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 63 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 74,004 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars71th of 320(top 22%)

Rank among NISSAN models290th of 660(top 44%)

vs national average+1%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average+8%(75% avg)

vs NISSAN average+2%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,004

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 NISSAN D21 has 74,004 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-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 D21 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1997	83%	63	74,004 mi
1995	64%	44	103,514 mi
1990	73%	30	126,629 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1999 · 2461cc Diesel

£2,050/year

70%

-13%

LAND ROVER DEFENDER

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,050/year

76%

-7%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,050/year

75%

-8%

FORD TRANSIT

1998 · 2496cc Diesel

£2,050/year

72%

-11%

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About the 1997 NISSAN D21

The 1997 NISSAN D21 is a large car with a 2494cc diesel engine. 63 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 22% of all 1997 cars for reliability.

With an average of 74,004 miles at 29 years old, NISSAN D21 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 D21 Fuel Costs

The 2494cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1997 NISSAN D21?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,045 (£170/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 1997 NISSAN D21

At 29 years old, the NISSAN D21 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. Note: with only 63 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 NISSAN D21's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 1997 NISSAN D21 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
NISSAN D21(1997)	83%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£2045
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)	70%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£5
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)	76%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£5
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(1999)	75%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£5
FORD TRANSIT(1998)	72%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050+£5

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.