How much does a 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR?

The 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR has a 77% MOT pass rate based on 30 tests in 2026. This ranks 155 out of 445 cars from 2003.

Which year NISSAN INTERSTAR is most reliable?

The 2006 NISSAN INTERSTAR has the highest MOT pass rate at 69%. The least reliable year is 2004 at 59%.

NISSAN INTERSTAR (2003)

Q: Is the 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of NISSAN INTERSTARs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 30 tests. That's 5 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR?

The average mileage for a 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR is 123,874 miles, 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.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 30 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,195

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2188cc Diesel

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £2195/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Diesel2188cc23 years old30 tests124k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2188cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2188cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,195

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/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

77% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

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

At 23 years old, 77% of NISSAN INTERSTARs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 30 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 123,874 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars155th of 445(top 35%)

Rank among NISSAN models413th of 660(top 63%)

vs national average-5%(82% avg)

vs 2003 cars average+5%(72% avg)

vs NISSAN average-4%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

123,874

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR has 123,874 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 2006 model with a 69% MOT pass rate, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 59%. The 2003 sits between the two at 77%.

NISSAN INTERSTAR by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2009	72%	43	146,823 mi
2007	67%	66	153,717 mi
2006	69%	58	132,229 mi
2005	62%	66	127,681 mi
2004	59%	56	155,953 mi
2003	77%	30	123,874 mi
2002	83%	48	117,431 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

2005 · 1896cc Diesel

£1,727/year

72%

-5%

HONDA CIVIC

2005 · 2204cc Diesel

£2,050/year

73%

-4%

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

2005 · 2460cc Diesel

£2,050/year

72%

-5%

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY

2005 · 2600cc Diesel

£2,050/year

78%

+1%

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About the 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR

The 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR is a family car with a 2188cc diesel engine. 30 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 123,874 miles at 23 years old, NISSAN INTERSTAR owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR Fuel Costs

The 2188cc 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 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,195 (£183/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

NISSAN INTERSTAR Reliability Trend

Newer NISSAN INTERSTARs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 8 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR

At 23 years old, the NISSAN INTERSTAR 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 2006 model has the highest pass rate at 69%. Note: with only 30 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 NISSAN INTERSTAR'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.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 124k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

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 INTERSTAR stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
NISSAN INTERSTAR(2003)	77%	£1245	£395	Grp 25-38	£2195
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2005)	72%	£1037	£135	Grp 18-32	£1727-£468
HONDA CIVIC(2005)	73%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2005)	72%	£1245	£250	Grp 25-38	£2050-£145
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2005)	78%	£1245	£250	Grp 30-42	£2050-£145

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.