Nissan D21 (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 63 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,456

£205/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2494cc Diesel

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £2,456/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Diesel2494cc29 years old63 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2494cc)

~40 mpg

£1,676

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,456

Per month£205/mo

Per week£47/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

83% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

83% of MOT tests on Nissan D21s from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 63 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 74,004 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 models70th of 306(top 23%)

Rank among Nissan models284th of 635(top half)

vs average of all models+1%(82% avg)

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

vs Nissan average+2%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,004

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Nissan D21 had 74,004 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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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

Land Rover Defender

1997 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,606/year

76%

-7%

Land Rover Discovery

1999 · 2487cc Diesel

£2,606/year

75%

-8%

Volvo V70

1999 · 2500cc Diesel

£2,606/year

72%

-11%

Volvo 800 Series

1996 · 2460cc Diesel

£2,606/year

74%

-9%

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About the 1997 Nissan D21

The 1997 Nissan D21 is a large car. Our records list a 2494cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 63 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 23% of all 1997 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 74,004 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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 £1,676 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; 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 £2,456 (£205/month), broken down as £1,676 fuel, £375 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

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.

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 estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Nissan D21(1997)	83%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,456
Land Rover Defender(1997)	76%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606+£150
Land Rover Discovery(1999)	75%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606+£150
Volvo V70(1999)	72%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606+£150
Volvo 800 Series(1996)	74%	£1,676	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,606+£150

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 D21

Is the 1997 Nissan D21 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of MOT tests on 1997 Nissan D21s ended in a pass, from 63 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 1 point above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Nissan D21 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,456 a year (£205 a month): £1,676 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

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

83% of 63 MOT tests on the 1997 Nissan D21 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 70th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (top 23%).

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Nissan D21?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Nissan D21 is 74,004 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.