NISSAN LEAF (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 14,453 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,405
£117/month
MOT Pass Rate
94%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 1-8
0cc Petrol
Great Choice
94% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 12 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the NISSAN brand average of 81%.
At 5 years old, 94% of NISSAN LEAFs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 14,453 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 23,743 miles.
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Mileage Analysis
23,743
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 NISSAN LEAF has 23,743 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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NISSAN LEAF by Year
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About the 2021 NISSAN LEAF
The 2021 NISSAN LEAF is a city car with a 0cc petrol engine. 14,453 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 23,743 miles at 5 years old, NISSAN LEAF owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 NISSAN LEAF Fuel Costs
The modest 0cc 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 2021 NISSAN LEAF?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
NISSAN LEAF Reliability Trend
Newer NISSAN LEAFs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 15 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2021 NISSAN LEAF
At 5 years old, the NISSAN LEAF offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. With 14,453 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 NISSAN LEAF's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 2021 NISSAN LEAF stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NISSAN LEAF(2021) | 94% | £955 | £195 | Grp 1-8 | £1405 |
| TESLA MODEL S(2019) | 89% | £955 | £190 | Grp 1-8 | £1550+£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.
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