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NISSAN PATROL (1996)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 109 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,385

£199/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£735

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4169cc Diesel

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2385/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel4169cc30 years old109 tests146k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 4169cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 4169cc

£735
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,385
Per month£199/mo
Per week£46/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

80% 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 30 years old, 80% of NISSAN PATROLs from 1996 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 109 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 146,298 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1996 cars87th of 252(top 35%)
Rank among NISSAN models345th of 660(top 52%)
vs national average-2%(82% avg)
vs 1996 cars average+5%(75% avg)
vs NISSAN average-1%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

146,298

Average miles

vs

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1996 NISSAN PATROL has 146,298 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-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 1999 model with a 94% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 74%. The 1996 sits between the two at 80%.

NISSAN PATROL by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200883%46103,053 mi
200776%8995,184 mi
200677%79123,503 mi
200578%274117,265 mi
200481%374131,944 mi
200382%158131,802 mi
200281%113130,474 mi
200174%80130,769 mi
200081%90132,710 mi
199994%124123,881 mi
199887%164116,735 mi
199774%82127,056 mi
199680%109146,298 mi
199577%69144,822 mi
199478%123164,209 mi
199388%59145,352 mi
199279%34114,010 mi

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About the 1996 NISSAN PATROL

The 1996 NISSAN PATROL is a performance with a 4169cc diesel engine. 109 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1996, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 146,298 miles at 30 years old, NISSAN PATROL owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1996 NISSAN PATROL Fuel Costs

The 4169cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. 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 1996 NISSAN PATROL?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,385 199/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £735 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

NISSAN PATROL Reliability Trend

Older NISSAN PATROLs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 4 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1996 NISSAN PATROL

At 30 years old, the NISSAN PATROL 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 1999 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1996 NISSAN PATROL'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 146k 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 1996 NISSAN PATROL stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
NISSAN PATROL(1996)80%£1245£735Grp 35-50£2385
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER(1997)76%£1245£250Grp 35-50£2050-£335
TOYOTA LANDCRUISER AMAZON(1997)85%£1245£250Grp 35-50£1900-£485
JEEP WRANGLER 4.0 SPORT(1997)73%£1245£250Grp 35-50£2050-£335
MERCEDES UNCLASSIFIED(1996)66%£1245£250Grp 35-50£2250-£135

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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