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NISSAN FIGARO (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 232 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,530

£128/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

980cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £1530/year to run. 10 points below average.

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Petrol980cc23 years old232 tests100k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 980cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Based on 980cc

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£1,530
Per month£128/mo
Per week£29/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

72% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the NISSAN brand average of 81%.

At 23 years old, 72% of NISSAN FIGAROs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 232 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 99,992 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars254th of 445(top 57%)
Rank among NISSAN models511th of 660(top 77%)
vs national average-10%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average+0%(72% avg)
vs NISSAN average-9%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

99,992

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 NISSAN FIGARO has 99,992 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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?

The most reliable year is the 1992 model with a 93% MOT pass rate, while the 2013 model has the lowest at 56%. The 2003 sits between the two at 72%.

NISSAN FIGARO by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201779%3381,214 mi
201668%4196,034 mi
201570%67102,710 mi
201478%9092,064 mi
201356%11795,560 mi
201284%5093,486 mi
201177%11292,730 mi
201073%17489,516 mi
200975%27396,489 mi
200878%34891,888 mi
200772%54395,932 mi
200671%45396,189 mi
200577%46599,209 mi
200477%49798,277 mi
200372%23299,992 mi
200274%11196,207 mi
200163%6094,444 mi
199293%8572,469 mi
199179%1,02991,539 mi

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About the 2003 NISSAN FIGARO

The 2003 NISSAN FIGARO is a city car with a 980cc petrol engine. 232 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 99,992 miles at 23 years old, NISSAN FIGARO owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 NISSAN FIGARO Fuel Costs

The modest 980cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 NISSAN FIGARO?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,530 128/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

NISSAN FIGARO Reliability Trend

The NISSAN FIGARO has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 NISSAN FIGARO

At 23 years old, the NISSAN FIGARO 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 1992 model has the highest pass rate at 93%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 NISSAN FIGARO's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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 100k 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.

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 2003 NISSAN FIGARO stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
NISSAN FIGARO(2003)72%£955£20Grp 1-8£1530
FORD FIESTA(2003)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722+£192
TOYOTA YARIS(2005)73%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722+£192
HONDA JAZZ(2005)70%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722+£192
NISSAN MICRA(2005)72%£955£30Grp 1-8£1540+£10

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.

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